What we do: Heritage, Arts & Culture

Our Track Record

10,000 people at festivals each year

 

200,000 people at other local events over 20 years

 

Poplar Union established as arts and cultural venue

Swing East: 4,200 visitors, average 50% increase in local business turnover on the day

 

Chrisp St festivals

 

Angela Lansbury Festival

 

Balfron Season: 3,500 visitors, UK-wide appeal

Street Art: over 13 new public artworks established in Poplar

 

Lansbury Micro Museum partnership with the V&A and National Trust

 

A Door in a Wall immersive theatre production using 31 locations across Poplar

 

Poplar Pavilion community generated meanwhile construction in Chrisp Street Market, in partnership with Alex Julyan and the Wellcome Trust

Poplar Film: co-curated film club with local residents

 

Women East: Visible Voices project in partnership with Bow Arts exploring local women’s voices and celebrating the centenary of the suffragette movement

 

Poplar Singers community-led choir

“It was really inspiring to see people of all ages and backgrounds get involved and join in the fun… I’d like to see more of these kinds of events in Poplar – just simple pop ups for all the family.”
Lilima Hussain

Outcomes and Benefits

Inclusive and high quality places & infrastructure

Safer and more cohesive communities

Improved cleaner and more attractive streets, open and green spaces

Local shops, services, leisure, cultural and community facilities that meet local people’s needs

Future Plans

  • Deliver meanwhile programmes for Aberfeldy, Teviot and Stroudley regeneration, with a focus on arts and cultural activity
  • Support the Making Space in Poplar programme, offering a range of arts initiatives on Aberfeldy Street
  • Continue to support the creation of public art across Poplar, working with a range of local arts organisations