The BCC, which is supported by Peabody, will be awarding £30,000 to three standout projects which represent and celebrate Black culture. Each of the chosen submissions will receive £10,000 and can take place anywhere in Thamesmead between April 2023 and March 2024.
Anyone interested in applying should consider the following themes in a way that represents African and/or Caribbean culture and heritage:
- Educational activities that promote the creative learning of African and Caribbean history, culture, and language.
- Cultural programmes that incorporate the performing or visual arts. This can include dance, song, drumming, storytelling, spoken word, crafts, film, and traditional dress; and be delivered through things like events, discussions and readings.
- Food heritage education that provides opportunities to learn about cultural dishes and how to cook them using local communal kitchens and cafes.
- A marketplace for African and Caribbean goods and services.
- A showcase of Black history, arts and culture to be delivered during Black History Month in October 2023.
Since being formed in 2020, the BCC has funded eight creative commissions. These include; ‘ACTION!’ by artist Holly Graham - which unearthed the history of anti-racism action and leadership by the Black community in Thamesmead, culminating in an interactive community event; ‘Made in Thamesmead’, an animated documentary directed by Mary Martins that explored the history, migration and settlement of the Black African and Caribbean community in Thamesmead; and The LPF Kiddies Club ‘Access to Art’ project which offered children the opportunity to learn about, celebrate and explore African and Caribbean arts, culture and history.
Comfort Adeneye won a Black Culture Collective commission in 2021 for her film ‘It Takes a Town’ which is a screenplay adaptation of the West African anecdote ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. She said: "The commission has allowed me to bring what I thought was a small graduate project idea to life. I am happy I had the opportunity to make work within my area that can hopefully be a part of the Thamesmead Community Archive one day.
“Funding like this is important, especially for local residents, because it gives us the chance to tell our stories and control narratives of how Thamesmead is represented. I have learned a lot about myself in the process, and I am thankful for the amazing team I worked with.”
Adriana Marques, Head of Thamesmead Cultural Strategy at Peabody, said: “The Black Culture Collective is an enthusiastic group of people who want to see Black culture in Thamesmead celebrated, and we’re proud to be supporting them. The past creative projects have really hit the mark and have struck the perfect balance of showcasing Black culture in a compelling and educational way. We’re looking forward to seeing what types of projects are submitted this year. The more ambitious the better!”
The deadline for applications is 17 April 2023.
