London Borough of Culture

The year-long cultural programme, We Are Lewisham, celebrated our history, people and place, with over 350 events in our venues, parks and street corners. 

Led by Lewisham Council and the Albany and created by the people of the borough, the programme was inspired by Lewisham’s proud history of activism and of standing up for equality. Together, we celebrated the borough’s diverse communities and our trailblazers past and present, highlighting the power of culture to create change. Thank you to everyone who took part in, attended, supported, volunteered and worked with us to deliver the year.

Thank you to our core partners:

• The Albany - Delivery Partner
• Lewisham Education Arts Network ( LEAN)- Education Partner 
• Lewisham Local - Volunteer Partner
• Arts of Regeneration - Evaluation Partner
• Goldsmiths, Univerisity of London - Heritage Partner
• Four Communications - Press Partner
• Cog Design - Brand and Website Partner

Our year in numbers: 

• 696 events
• 436,294 audiences and participants (in-person)
• 92% local schools involved 
• 7,453 young people supported through the Creative Futures programme 
• 474,657 digital audiences 
• 15 million + public art views 
• 1,800+ volunteers 
• 10,000+ volunteer hours 
• 200+ partner organisations
• 520 participating local businesses 4 million + views of media coverage
• Over £4 million inward investment (grant funding received)

It’s not over yet. We Are Lewisham will have a lasting legacy, with culture being used to shake things up for a long time to come. Make sure to follow the continued work of We are Lewisham on social media on; YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Flickr. 

Get involved

There are still things you can see and do as part of our London Borough of Culture legacy.

Lewisham Legends

Six giant murals were unveiled to celebrate local icons in the borough. Find out where you can see the Lewisham Legends murals.

In Living Memory

Goldsmiths, University of London supported seven community-led projects to build an exciting new story of Lewisham’s past since 1945, creating an In Living Memory digital archive.

Rebel Music Map 

The rebel music map is a collaboration between local musician Soft Wax and Goldsmiths, University of London.

This map plots a chart of some of the most iconic musical locations of the borough, and gives you the chance to submit your own memories too.

Creative Futures

The Creative Futures programme is designed to address and remove barriers into creative careers for young people. Watch the Creative Futures talks online and learn more about how to enter into a career in the arts.

Youth Hub

We offer Lewisham young people, aged 18-24, a personalised one-to-one specialist information, advice and guidance service providing access to training, job and other development opportunities. Register for the Lewisham Youth Hub Programme.

About London Borough of Culture 

Introduced by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan in 2017, the London Borough of Culture award is a competition that sees London’s 32 boroughs bid for more than £1m of funding to stage a programme of cultural events and initiatives. 

The award brings Londoners together, putting culture at the heart of local communities and shining a light on the character and diversity of London’s boroughs. Find out more about the London Borough of Culture programme.