Birkbeck Connects: Debate focuses on the creative industries in east London

12 September 2013

The resilience of east London and the strength of its creative industries were explored during a discussion

The resilience of east London and the strength of its creative industries were explored during a lively discussion to celebrate the expansion of Birkbeck’s evening model of university education in Stratford.

The benefits of higher education and the problems of unemployment were also highlighted at the debate – the first in a series of three free events called Birkbeck Connects.

Panellists spoke about east London’s capacity to adapt, the opportunities associated with regeneration, and also urged employers to ‘hire a generation’ to tackle youth unemployment.

The Birkbeck Connects series is being staged to celebrate the opening this autumn of University Square Stratford, a new state-of-the-art £33 million university campus shared by Birkbeck and the University of East London. Birkbeck’s new east London home is at the heart of Stratford’s Cultural Quarter.

The first event, held at the Stratford East Picturehouse on 11 September, began with a selection of short films showing the urban renewal, diversity, artistic talent, and deprivation associated with east London.

Panellists’ perspectives

Gavin Poole, CEO of iCITY (a new digital quarter which supports innovation, education and enterprise in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park), was upbeat when asked about winners and losers in east London by the discussion’s moderator Anita Sethi, a journalist and broadcaster. He spoke about the “rich pool of talent”, the growth of creative clusters (including “Silicon roundabout”) and the benefits of creative people being surrounded by “kindred spirits.” Poole said: “East London has an ability to adapt to change. It is a survivor. Wherever you see clusters, you see a raising of standards.”

Vivian Archer, Manager of the Newham Bookshop, which is celebrating its 35^th birthday this year, brought her wealth of experience running a business to the debate. She explained how the independent shop has managed to survive in a “very difficult retail climate” because of its extensive work with the community, including school visits, and events, and how she also promotes the bookshop successfully via social media. She said: “We always welcome the new arrivals who come to Newham. We have survived because the community has supported us.”

The opportunities associated with the “chaos and upheaval” which accompanies regeneration were mentioned by Amica Dall, project designer and director of Assemble (a collaborative art and architecture practice based in Stratford). Hadrian Garrard, Director of CREATE London (which commissions and produce multi-disciplinary art projects in east London) also spoke about radical political ideas borne out of “chaos” in the area, but highlighted how creativity and growth is now more organised in east London. He emphasised that east London is “Europe’s largest cultural quarter”, boasting 14,000 artists, yet many local people from deprived communities still do not engage in cultural experiences.

Alvin Carpio, a community organiser working for social business Catch 22, told his story about growing up in nearby Plaistow and witnessing the “brilliant” regeneration in the area. He said: “Creativity is part of the heart and soul of east London.” Carpio also raised the problem of youth unemployment in the borough of Newham, and urged action by employers. He said: “We have to put young people at the heart of what we do, given the crisis of youth unemployment. The tagline for the Olympic legacy should be ‘hire a generation’.”

Fundamental questions about the purpose of art, how we want to live, and market values were raised by the final panellist, Dr Sophie Hope, Lecturer in Arts Management at Birkbeck. She said: “Turning one’s passion into one’s profession is not without its problems. How do we refuse to turn art into a business?”

Questions and comments from the audience focussed on the polarisation between the winners and losers in east London, the challenges faced by artists wanting to exhibit their work in public spaces, and low paid or unpaid artistic work.

Future events

East London artists, writers, academics and creative entrepreneurs will continue to explore the impact of rapid change on their world in the next two events in the Birkbeck Connects series. Quiz the panellists by submitting your questions in advance to info@newmedianetworks.org .

East London – Real and imagined

How is the character of East London represented through the arts and media? Is the story changing? Which version is winning?

Panellists:
Hugh Muir, columnist, The Guardian
Professor Jerry White, historian, Birkbeck, University of London
Stella Duffy, theatre director and writer
Freddie Opoku-Addaie, choreographer, performer, educator and former associate of the Royal Opera House
Andi Osho, comedian, actor and writer

Moderator:
Henry Bonsu, Director, presenter and writer

When: Wednesday 18 September, 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Where: Stratford Circus, Theatre Square E15 1BX
Booking: Free of charge; book online or book a place direct with Stratford Circus: Box Office: 0844 357 2625

Click here for biographies of the panellists

Creative east London - Who’s it for? Who cares?

What are audiences enjoying and experiencing within the creative economy of east London? Who are they? Is it an environment that is good to live, work and/or play in?

Panellists:
Sarah Weir, Chief Executive of The Legacy List
Ruth Mackenzie, Former director of the Cultural Olympiad and curator of the London 2012 Festival
Emma Underhill, Director and curator, UP Projects
Kerry Michael, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Theatre Royal Stratford East
Jay Miller, Artistic Director, The Yard Theatre, Hackney Wick
Rob Swain, Professor of Theatre Practice, Birkbeck
Dr Ben Cranfield, Lecturer in Arts Policy and Management