We've funded an exciting programme of free community events through new Create Grants
The Royal Borough of Greenwich has awarded Create grants to 27 artists and organisations to deliver free, inclusive arts and cultural activities to our communities until March 2026, as part of our commitment to delivering our Culture Strategy*.
Create is our new small arts funding programme for freelance artists, creative practitioners, community groups and cultural organisations in Royal Greenwich. It celebrates local creativity and incorporates the previous Community Arts and Black History 365 project funding. Create was co-commissioned by two community advisory panels of people who live, work and study in the borough giving local voices a role in decision-making.
Councillor Sandra Bauer, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities, said: “From social sing-a-longs and roller discos to sensory-friendly exhibitions and writing workshops exploring Black history, this year’s Create programme will bring our communities together to be creative, and explore their unique stories through arts, culture and heritage.
“We’re committed to cementing Royal Greenwich as a place where creative people, innovation and cultural connections inspire, encourage and flourish. Our Create grants are key to this goal, empowering local groups and organisations to deliver events and activities, that widen participation and engagement in the arts for local people.
“Thank you to our community advisory panels, whose knowledge, experience and insights helped us select projects to fund that truly represent the diversity of our communities. Follow us on WhatsApp to stay up to date with events and activities happening near you.”
Continuing our Black History Month celebrations, as part of Create Grants, we've commissioned a new wave of activities celebrating Black history and culture all year round. These projects reflect the council’s ongoing commitment to supporting Black creatives and sharing diverse stories that enrich our communities.
*all funding is conditional on signing a grant agreement and adherence to funding terms and conditions.
Learn about this year’s Create projects
Alicia Clarke: Full Circle Drama
Weekly workshops combining theatre and wellbeing. Inspired by talking circles, the sessions will incorporate storytelling, movement, and writing to help women connect, heal, and build confidence.
Amy-Rose Edlyn: Exhibit P*: Resist, Create, Reclaim
One day creative art and wellbeing workshop using upcycled textiles, photography, painting, collage, and recycled materials to create personal artwork, and a collaborative sculpture to be exhibited for a month.
ARC & You: ‘Ori's Choice’ - Will AI Repeat Slavery or Serve Freedom?
A series of exhibitions, seminars, and cultural performances rooted in Yoruba metaphysics, Ori’s Choice explores the link between historic systems of control, like slavery, and the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence, inviting residents to reflect on heritage, power and the future of technology.
Avant Gardening: Nannie's Tales
A co-created community pantomime, inspired by the Cutty Sark, traditional panto and participants’ own stories. Older residents will work with artists and performers through creative writing, sea shanties, song, dance, and performance workshops.
Black Female Entrepreneur Greenwich: Forgotten African Soldiers - A Call for Recognition
A series of workshops and events honouring and preserving the stories of forgotten African soldiers who fought for Britain in both World Wars but were excluded from remembrance.
Charlton Community Champions Consortium: Rising Minds
A series of sensory-friendly events and workshops with artists and musicians, and a community exhibition and meal, for neurodivergent young people and their families.
Chineke! Orchestra: Clasically Black - Chineke! Celebrates Chevalier
A community engagement and education programme for students and families, exploring the history of classical composer, Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges.
Citizens of the World Choir: Finding Your Voice - Singing for Confidence, Community and Creativity
A series of low-pressure taster sessions, social singalongs and outreach workshops alongside the existing community choir of displaced artists, promoting connection, creativity and belonging.
DYSPLA: Inclination
A digital art and film project with an exhibition finale, celebrating neurodivergent voices and young people.
Engineering Minds: The Science Playhouse
A youth-led project empowering 11 to 16-year-olds to become Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) ambassadors to younger children. Through workshops with artists and scientists, participants will create fun science plays using puppetry and drama.
Eye4Change: The Wood and The Trees
A photography project for young people aged 10 to 19 in outdoor spaces connecting with nature, and their community. Photos will be displayed in an online gallery, encouraging connection with family, friends and the wider community.
GCDA: Scribes With Vibes
Creative writing workshops, storytelling and open mic events, exploring self-expression, empowerment and cultural celebration and helping participants to develop their voice and share personal experiences in supportive, creative environments.
Global Fusion Music and Arts: BH365 Power and Pride
A series of workshops, films and spoken word events telling new stories through cultural heritage and creativity.
Greenwich Foundation for the Old Royal Naval College (ORNC): Cornwallis Cloth Community Event
A community event uncovering the impact of WWII on Black Caribbean lives, inspired by Sweet Patootee Arts’ and the ORNC’s film and exhibition, Cornwallis Cloth: WWII in the Caribbean. It tells the story of ‘Cornwallis Cloth’, salvaged from a torpedoed British ship and repurposed by Barbadians, symbolising resistance and the war’s reach into the Caribbean.
Greenwich Mummies Forum: Rhythms of Nepal - Dance and Music for Culture, Community and Care
Weekly sessions for adults and children with traditional dance, music and informal social time, promoting cultural heritage, wellbeing and community connection.
Heritage Community Crafts CIC: Our Journey and Stories Quilt
A series of creative workshops for African and Caribbean seniors and care-affected youth, preserving Windrush stories by creating an intergenerational quilt.
Nigerian Community Greenwich: Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi -Nigerian live theatre and drama
A live theatre production celebrating Nigerian heritage, focusing on the story of Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi and the Great Benin Kingdom, plus the launch of African Community Acting Club offering training in acting, scriptwriting and African theatre.
Parent Power Ltd: Ignite
A series of weekly drama club sessions for children and young people.
People Place Public Art: Abbey Wood 'Nurturing Community' Mural
Local groups in Abbey Wood will co-create a piece of art to celebrate community, connection and shared heritage, that will be installed in an outdoor location for local people to enjoy.
Pretty Hearts: Ties That Bind
A community-led celebration of West African headties (igele), exploring their cultural meaning through live demonstrations and intergenerational storytelling.
Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust: Horn Fair 2025 -100 Years of Heritage, Creativity and Community
Celebrate 100 years of public access to Charlton House and Gardens at the annual Horn Fair on Sunday 19 October. The free heritage and arts festival will feature live performances, family activities, historical storytelling, exhibitions and guided tours.
Shermaine Slocombe and Pragya Kumar: Winged Warnings
Creative climate education workshops in schools and libraries for young people and families. Participants will create posters exploring environmental issues from the perspective of butterflies and other affected creatures, to be shown in a public exhibition.
SPAPTAN: African and Black Roots Festival - Celebrating the Legacy of African Creativity and Culture
A vibrant celebration of African heritage, cultural, musical, and cinematic traditions. The festival includes live performances, exhibitions, film screenings, workshops and discussions that explore the historic and contemporary impact of African creativity.
The Bold Mellon Collective: Off The Ground - Queer Presence
A showcase of new performances by local LGBTQIA+ artists, celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month in February. Featuring commissioned work, inclusive access, and community-driven storytelling, the event uplifts Queer and migrant voices through bold, unapologetic art.
The Wholebeing Clinic: Human Rites - Collective Transformation Through Creativity
A community music project co-created through five themed workshops lead by local musicians - connection, grief, gratitude, transformation and belonging. It blends music, movement and storytelling to foster creativity, wellbeing and inclusion.
We are the Unheard CIC: Rollin' Roller Disco
Bringing together communities in Greenwich, Woolwich and Plumstead through music, skating and creativity with themed sessions, artist showcases and performances.
Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair: Interactive Family Activities
A series of Creation Stations at the leading international print fair in Woolwich Arsenal will offer free, hands-on climate change workshops for children and families led by professional art educators.
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Read the Royal Borough of Greenwich Culture Strategy.