Building Newham's Creative Future is an ambitious cultural strategy developed by Publica for the London Borough of Newham, which sets the Council’s vision and direction for culture in the borough for the next 15 years.

Built on extensive borough-wide engagement, mapping and research, the strategy articulates culture’s contribution to inclusive regeneration and local growth as part of Newham Council’s Community Wealth Building agenda. It encompasses existing and planned creative activity in the borough until 2035, and how culture can help develop a strong local economy and support recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. There are five strategic focus areas:

• Culture for life: Lifelong creative learning and supporting fair employment opportunities, wellbeing and happiness.
• Powerful partnerships: Bringing groups together to exchange ideas, experiment and collaborate to increase inward investment and community impact.
• Loud and proud: Celebrating and communicating existing and new creative, culture and heritage programmes to develop a sense of belonging and support local enterprise.
• Culture First spaces: Providing and opening up spaces that are varied and inclusive for local enterprise and creative activity.
• Proactive mindset: Establishing a governance structure, management, training, and resources to support the cultural sector and lead with optimism.

The strategy was launched 18 March 2022 by the Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, alongside an action plan for implementation over the next 15 years.

Newham is one of the UK’s most diverse boroughs, home to thriving and talented communities of artists, theatre companies, community choirs and cultural producers representing Newham’s cultural diversity.

Publica carried our fieldwork across Newham’s eight community neighbourhoods to understand each area’s identity, mapping cultural and heritage assets, public art, event, community and creative spaces, and of the micro-businesses and creative-sector businesses across the borough.

Community engagement was central to the strategy. Over three months, more than 1,200 people contributed through interviews, workshops, library and youth zone activities, and an online survey. Participants included children and young people, creative practitioners, cultural organisations, community faith groups, disability-led arts organisations, educational institutions and strategic stakeholders. Their input highlighted gaps in cultural provision, shared ambitions for the sector, and recognised culture’s strategic role in Newham’s future.

With around a quarter of residents aged under 18, young voices were a key focus. Publica ran co-design sessions with Newham’s Youth Empowerment Services, where young people explored ideas for activating under-utilised buildings, outdoor spaces, waterways and improving how creative and cultural activity is communicated to young people.

The full strategy document can be found on the London Borough of Newham website.