Wandsworth Council’s Arts and Culture Service launches Black History 365, a year-long programme of community-focused, cultural, arts and heritage-based activities and events running from May 2023 to April 2024.
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“Wandsworth Council celebrates Black History Month each October with an extensive programme of events, but we also believe African and Caribbean history, culture and heritage should be celebrated all year round. This year, we will be sharing the stories and experiences of people of African or Caribbean heritage who live, work or study in Wandsworth, recognising the outstanding contribution that people of the African diaspora have made in shaping our borough” says Councillor Kemi Akinola, Wandsworth Council’s Deputy Leader and cabinet member for the voluntary sector, business engagement and culture.
In February 2023, the Arts and Culture Service launched a new fund for artists and cultural organisations to develop programming for Black History 365 to happen locally over the coming year. The call-out was for project ideas that would encourage residents of African and Caribbean heritage to engage in cultural activity that would be meaningful and relevant to them, as well as allow the wider community to better understand the histories of fellow residents, colleagues and students making a positive difference in Wandsworth, and be inspired by them. Artists of African and Caribbean heritage and/or Black-led organisations were particularly encouraged to apply, as part of a wider invitation to contribute to the cultural agenda of the borough.
Seven brilliant projects were selected, each receiving up to £2000 to develop and deliver their ideas between now and April 2024.
S.T.O.R.M. Family Centre kick off the programme this Saturday, 20 May, with a creative Caribbean BBQ celebrating Black designers and performers. Eclectic Gift begin their regular wellness and art workshops for women of colour this May, with an exhibition and final celebration planned for International Women’s Day in 2024. In June, Writerz and Scribez explore the significance of preserving family legacy, heritage, practices and culture through jewellery and a documentary film, while Michael Mapp presents an exhibition celebrating Black history in Wandsworth. He will also be running art workshops for the public to create abstract artwork responding to the works and themes of the exhibition. From June to October, genealogist and author Paul Crooks will be running talks on Black ancestry in local libraries, and Tavaziva Dance will present Artistic Director Bawren Tavaziva’s own history through his latest dance piece BOYS KHAYA, with workshops for young local dancers, who will be recruited from September. Beginning in September 2023 and culminating in a community fashion show in February 2024, Fée Uhssi will offer six different fashion and wellbeing workshops exploring the history and symbolism of African textiles.
