Although the first Brent Biennial, launched last year, was blighted by the pandemic, the organisers swiftly switched to an adapted programme of podcasts, virtual festivals, and art on the streets in which over 1,000 artists took part and 23 new commissions by national and international artists were installed across the borough. Now, the London Borough of Brent has announced a £1 million grant to sustain local arts as a legacy of Brent 2020, London Borough of Culture. In addition to free studio spaces for 14 visual artists living and working in the borough (in partnership with Camden Art Centre and The Showroom), the grant will provide investment for the launch of Brent Music Biennial in 2023, as well as the establishment of The Local Cultural Education Partnership (LCEP) which will bring together arts organisations, youth charities, artists and educators in Brent to work with schools across the borough and improve opportunities in and access to the arts.
In a statement, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said: ‘Brent 2020 demonstrated the power of culture to bring people together, create positive opportunities for young people and inspire our communities during the most challenging of times. I’m delighted that this legacy will be continued through a series of inspiring new local projects, including free studio space for artists and further collaboration with schools. Culture will play a key role in London’s long-term economic and social recovery from the pandemic, and this investment will provide much-needed support to creative grassroots talent and inspire the next generation across the borough.’
Find out more about the artists and artworks at Brent Biennial 2020 through a series of exclusive online interviews and articles here.
