Create London is delighted to announce that it has received £500,000 from the Creative Foundations Fund (CFF) to redevelop and expand The White House on the Becontree Estate, Dagenham: the only independent, contemporary visual arts venue in the borough. The White House brings together world-class artists and communities to host residencies, develop new artworks and engage residents in creative activities that foster individual wellbeing and social cohesion. Celebrating 10 years as a public cultural space in 2026, the locally listed house urgently requires investment to safeguard its future.
Administered by Arts Council England on behalf of DCMS, this vital investment will ensure a sustainable future for the building, by resolving the insulation, damp and accessibility issues that threaten its viability as a public space. It will also enable the creation of a light-filled, new extension to the house to accommodate growing community demand and facilitate more local schools’ engagement.
Phase one of The White House renovations was successfully completed in 2016 by RIBA Stirling Prize-nominated architectural studio Apparata. Phase two of its redevelopment will thermally upgrade the historic building, replace failing windows and add a new extension. These improvements will reduce maintenance costs, support high‑quality artist residencies and expand creative participation for local audiences in one of London’s most culturally underserved boroughs. Previous artists in residence include Delaine Le Bas, Rory Pilgrim, Elsa James and Katie Schwab to name a few. Our resident artists have been Turner Prize-nominated, and shown at the RIBA, Serpentine and V&A.
Once a derelict 18th-century farmhouse, Create London has revitalised The White House as a vibrant home for art and social activity. It hosts weekly creative workshops, poetry circles, co-creation projects for unaccompanied minor asylum seekers, foster families and disabled young people and seasonal community garden parties. The White House is also a culturally and historically significant heritage asset on the Becontree Estate, linked to Valence House — the only survivor of five manor houses in Dagenham. Its most famous resident was Sir Hardy Amies (1909–2003), dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth II.
Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy said:
“I want everyone, everywhere to feel a sense of pride about where they come from. Cultural organisations across London are important custodians of local identity and play a key role in the story we tell ourselves as a nation.
“Our Arts Everywhere Fund is delivering on our commitment to support cultural assets across the country, increasing access and preserving them for future generations. This is demonstrated by grants announced today that will benefit twenty-four culture venues, museums, and library services across London.
“Arts and culture are the beating hearts of our communities; they have the power to unite us in the face of division and break down barriers to opportunity. We want to harness the power to help us build a brighter future for the people of London.”
Michelle Walker, London Area Director, Arts Council England, said:
“This significant investment is a vital step in safeguarding the future of cultural venues, museums and libraries at a time when many are facing real challenges. Across London these spaces are the backbone of our city, where communities come together.
“By supporting these essential improvements this funding will help ensure that these venues remain open, sustainable and accessible for years to come, protecting the creative spaces that London’s artists and audiences rely on.”
Marie Bak Mortensen, Director, Create London, said:
“Over ten years, we have demonstrated continued success in growing local connections and trust with residents of the Becontree Estate in Dagenham. CFF funding comes at a critical time for Create London, as we reimagine the programming strategy for The White House. The physical and environmental improvements envisioned by our long-term collaborator, Apparata, with support from the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, will be vital to grow diverse audiences and ensure our building is architecturally exceptional. The legacy will be a building fit for purpose to provide underserved residents of an outer-London borough the same exposure to outstanding arts experiences as elsewhere in London.”
