In the decade leading up to 2015, London lost 35 per cent of its grassroots music venues and 58 per cent of LGBT+ venues [1].
In 2019, London was home to 52 LGBT+ night-time venues, 94 grassroots music venues, 263 theatres, and 165 museums and galleries [2].
These extend far beyond the famous large cultural attractions in central London, with many venues rooted in their local communities.
Londoners recognise the importance of grassroots, community-facing culture, but smaller cultural organisations and venues in the city face a number of challenges.
The London Assembly Economy Committee will meet tomorrow to discuss the value of London’s small cultural organisations and consider the current issues facing the sector, relating to the cost of living crisis, funding, licensing, and Brexit.
The guests are:
- Clara Cullen, Venue Support Manager, Music Venue Trust
- Lorna Lee, Assistant Director, Culture and Heritage, London Borough of Waltham Forest
- Vicki Amedume, Creative Director, The Albany, and Associate Director of Lewisham London Borough of Culture
- Paul Bristow, Director, Strategic Partnerships, Arts Council England
- Abdul Shayek, Artistic Director and Joint CEO, Tara Theatre
- Aditi Anand, Artistic Director, Migration Museum
The meeting will take place on Wednesday, 15 June from 10am, in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube. Follow us @LondonAssembly
Notes to editors
- Culture for all Londoners: Mayor of London's Culture Strategy
- City Hall launches cultural map of the capital to protect and support London's venues
- Full agenda papers.
- Hina Bokhari AM, Chair of the Economy Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Economy Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Emma Bowden in the Assembly Media Office on 07849 303897. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.