The arts and culture strategy seeks to build “strong and meaningful partnerships” with local communities and wider stakeholders

Haringey Council has launched its first dedicated arts and culture strategy in 20 years ahead of becoming ‘London Borough of Culture’ in 2027.

The four-year strategy seeks to build “strong and meaningful partnerships” with local communities and wider stakeholders, so that people who live in, work in and visit the borough, “can all benefit from a vibrant, cultural and creative Haringey”.

Approved by the council’s cabinet on Tuesday (15th), the strategy sets out how the council will work with cultural organisations and residents over the next five years and creates a strategic direction for all council services to contribute to the cultural life of the borough.

Haringey was named as ‘London Borough of Culture’ for 2027 earlier this year.

Emily Arkell, cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: “Haringey is a unique melting pot of people, histories and voices. Arts and culture play a key role in bringing us together and telling our shared story – as well as being increasingly important to our borough’s economy.

“This strategy will support us to grow the borough’s cultural sphere and ensure that everyone in the borough is part of shaping its future. In particular, we want to ensure that our young people have the skills and opportunities to be part of our blossoming creative sector.

“Our year as London Borough of Culture will mark the culmination of many of the ambitious aims outlined in this strategy. Work is already going on behind the scenes to prepare for this and I can’t wait to share more details with residents in the coming months.

“This is a great example of our commitment to working together with our residents, and I’d like to thank everyone who helped us to outline this shared vision for culture in Haringey. In particular I’d like to pay tribute to my predecessor, the late Julie Davies, who was a passionate advocate for arts, culture and education in the borough and who initiated the work to develop this strategy.”

The strategy includes help for Haringey’s young people through the development of career pathways, as well as work to identify where culture and sport can crossover to support health, wellbeing, training and opportunities, and continuation of work through the Haringey Music Service to give children and young people consistent access to high quality music provision.

Local people played a key role in developing the arts and culture strategy through an “extensive engagement process” which included an online survey, an immersive theatre production, and last year’s culture summit at Hornsey Library.

Work on the strategy was set in motion by the late councillor Julie Davies, who served as cabinet member for communities and civic life before sadly dying last year.

Read the full arts and culture strategy here:
Visit minutes.haringey.gov.uk/documents.pdf

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