Partners & Sponsors

Based in the heart of Deptford, the Albany is a performing arts centre that exists to inspire, develop and support creativity in South East London. With year-round activities and events including award-winning programmes for young creatives and adults over 60, music, theatre, spoken word and family performance, the Albany is led by the talent and imagination of its local community.

With four performance spaces and a range of rehearsal space, meeting rooms and offices for community and creative businesses, the Albany is underpinned by a commitment to collaboration and artistic excellence. In a normal year 80,000 people attend performances or take part in projects at the Albany, and a further 100,000 attend events.

The Albany has 26 resident organisations based in the building, and manages and programmes Deptford Lounge and Canada Water Theatre on behalf of Lewisham and Southwark Councils. It is co-lead of the national Future Arts Centres network and lead partner of the Family Arts Campaign. In September 2020, the Albany was appointed Lead Delivery Partner for the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2022 in Lewisham. They are taking lead responsibility for key strands of the programme and working closely with the team at Lewisham Council on the overall direction of the year.

Since 2000, Lewisham Education Arts Network (LEAN) has championed arts education in Lewisham, working with teachers, artists and organisations. For 12 years they have coordinated annual music and dance festival, Lewisham Live. They deliver a Creative Careers Programme for young people as part of Lewisham’s Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ) and ensure access for all by spearheading creative projects in areas with fewer opportunities. They offer advice to artists and organisations, including peer-to-peer networks. As Education Partner for London Borough of Culture 2022, LEAN will keep schools informed, bring together services working with young people and spotlight the brilliant work taking place in Lewisham’s educational settings. 

Lewisham Local connects the community to promote giving and sharing, with a mission to make Lewisham a better place. Their vision for a thriving Lewisham, where people have a sense of identity and pride about the borough and their local neighbourhood, underpins their volunteering programme for London Borough of Culture 2022. As official Volunteer Partner, Lewisham Local will recruit Lewisham residents over the age of sixteen and provide opportunities for them to connect with the programme. Volunteers will experience all that Lewisham has to offer while making a unique contribution to this historical moment for the borough.

Art of Regeneration is a social enterprise with a strong, wide ranging track record in research, evaluation, project development and delivery of creative and cultural projects.  Their work stretches from local community based activity through to large scale international partnerships. It is delivered by a team drawn from a mix of academics and practitioners, whose multi-disciplinary and participatory approaches offer a unique blend of skills, knowledge and experience. Art of Regeneration are delighted to be working with Lewisham on the evaluation of their London Borough of Culture programme, We Are Lewisham.

Founded in 1891, Goldsmiths, University of London is an institution with a rich academic history, known for its creative approach. Goldsmiths’ research is at the forefront of creative practice with almost three-quarters of research rated internationally excellent or world-leading by the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. The university provides a community-focused cultural hub through the Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art and a renowned contemporary theatre space. As Heritage Partner for London Borough of Culture 2022, Goldsmiths is partnering on the delivery of In Living Memory, which will celebrate Lewisham’s diversity and heritage and tell a new people’s history of the borough. They will also host a Creative Futures fair to inspire young people to consider creative careers, and will participate in a series of vital Climate Conversations.

Using money raised by the National Lottery, the National Lottery Heritage Fund inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. With thanks to the National Lottery players. heritagefund.org.uk

We are grateful for Government funding through the Welcome Back Fund, which is supporting our town centres and high streets to be vibrant and thriving. The Welcome Back Fund is sponsoring Day One of We Are Lewisham; our We Are Lewisham shop; volunteer t-shirts; and live events coming to our streets as part of Love Is Attention, Rebel Music; Climate Emergency, Here Now Us, Mass Dance and our monthly Creative Challenges.

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation was established by Paul Hamlyn in 1987. Upon his death in 2001, he left most of his estate to the Foundation, creating one of the largest independent grant-making foundations in the UK. Their mission is to help people overcome disadvantage and lack of opportunity, so that they can realise their potential and enjoy fulfilling and creative lives. They have an interest in supporting young people and a strong belief in the importance of the arts.

Landsec builds and invests in buildings, spaces and partnerships to create sustainable places, connect communities and realise potential.  They are one of the largest real estate companies in Europe, with a £11 billion portfolio of retail, leisure, workspace and residential hubs. Landsec is shaping a better future by leading their industry on environmental and social sustainability while delivering value for shareholders, great experiences for guests and positive change for communities.