Brent will be the London Borough of Culture in 2020. The prestigious award will see Brent receive £1.35 million to stage an ambitious year long programme of cultural events and activities, which will put culture at the heart of the borough’s future. Brent fought off stiff competition from the 21 other London boroughs to win the title, which was awarded by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
Waltham Forest will become the first London Borough of Culture in 2019 with Brent following in 2020 as the Euro 2020 football finals take place at Wembley Stadium. Brent’s bid was structured around seven key projects, showcasing the borough’s spirit of diversity, youthfulness and internationalism.
These include a collaboration with Vice and Brent’s young people to develop their skills across film, radio and writing, a huge street party taking place along a pedestrianised A5, and an open air ‘Museum of all Brent Life’. During the year, Brent will also host a reggae music festival, and a Brent anthem will be composed to be performed at Wembley Stadium during Euro 2020. The council has pledged a further £300,000 to set up an independent Cultural Trust, to oversee the borough’s cultural programme.
A wide range of London’s leading cultural institutions will work with the winning boroughs – including the Barbican, the Museum of London, the Roundhouse, Film London and the National Trust and many more. For more information about London Borough of Culture 2020 and to get involved, please visit www.brentculture2020.co.uk
