Routes to Canning Town, Strategy & Action Plan
Canning Town: Routes to Canning Town, Arts Strategy
Year
2010-2011
Client
London Borough of Newham
Steering Group included:
Design for London
London Thames Gateway Development Corporation
Collaborator
Vivienne Reiss
Services
Development of Strategy
Location
Canning Town, London
An Arts Strategy for Canning Town
The objective was to develop and deliver an ambitious arts commissioning programme for the area under the A13 flyover, focussed on creative participatory activities.
The main aim of the art commissioning programme was to reconnect the communities which have been divided for years by the A13 and to welcome new community members into the area. The Steering Group wanted to encourage people to explore and experience Canning Town and understand that the area is evolving into an exciting and vibrant place to be. To be achieved by:
Changing people’s perceptions of Canning Town, by creating an active and inclusive space that puts Canning Town on the map
Attracting people from all areas to see Canning Town and encourage interaction between new and existing communities
Engaging people in the regeneration process to celebrate Canning Town’s cultural heritage and explain how the area has evolved and what the future will hold for Canning Town and Custom House.
“The stories and research has revealed so much that I was unaware of, it’s made me think about Canning Town in a completely different way. Especially the importance of the Bridge House for pop and rock in the 70’s and 80’s.”
Curatorial vision
The Canning Town is and has always been a place for change and migration and has been in constant flux. Its personality has been consistently evolving, from the village-like scenes of the 19th Century to the urban landscape of today.
Routes to Canning Town refers to a point of arrival rather than a place to be passed through. The art programme set out to explore the rich history of the area, the hard work and ambition of local individuals and hugely popular sport and recreational activities, making connections between the present and the past and creating future narratives. Sign posting existing activity and contributing to the development of the social and physical identity of Canning Town, animating the public realm and creating a sense of place.
Significant local research and consultation with local arts organisations, market traders, community organisations. education agencies, and others was undertaken, identifying the unique cultural history of the area which informed the key themes for the arts programme. A policy review and cultural mapping exercise was undertaken. Ranging from local heros, iconic buildings, Rathbone Market, music and speakers’ corner, re-creation / recreation to boxing and folk dance.
“The two groups who are most detached from each other and and effected most severely by a sense of disconnection are the over 55’s and teenagers. The older residents intimidated by the younger. There are no longer the sports and social opportunities - other than Peacock Gym.”
Arts Programme
The arts programme would commission art works that respond to the physicality of the site as well as exploring the social fabric of Canning Town and its historical context. Aimed at engaging the diverse local communities, creating connections and building links to the wider area. Exploring a way of working characterised by participation and engagement. With community ownership of the public realm to be facilitated through artist-led initiatives, collaborative project which may be community led and involve artists working in dialogues with participants and through more open-ended processes.
Funding however was only made available for a single permanent commission. The strategy was placed on hold.