We are delighted to announce news of substantial new funding from Freelands Foundation.

Freelands Foundation today announces £1.27m in grants to Iniva, New Art Exchange in Nottingham and Create London, the first round of a total commitment of £3m and the first step in a bold new plan of action by the Foundation to address the issue of racial inequality in the visual arts. Additionally, the Foundation has pledged to commit 15% of all future grants to initiatives with specific targets to promote the involvement of Black and ethnic minorities in the visual arts.

Create London will receive £270k over two years to deliver an education and engagement programme celebrating and honouring the Windrush Generation with schools and community groups in close partnership with Hackney Council, to complement the borough’s two new major public artworks by Thomas J Price and Veronica Ryan. This programme will activate discussions around diaspora, identity and representation in public spaces with primary and secondary pupils and local residents. Projects will include photography and printing sessions, a public exhibition, symposium and a website providing access to newly developed learning resources and other activities. 

“This grant enables us to boost community inclusion on the Windrush ArtCommissions to include young people and residents across Hackney, which is paramount to the success of the project. Through an ambitious programme of educational resources and digital engagement, these new permanent public artworks and their message of solidarity will be able to reach not only residents in the London borough but the Windrush community across the UK.”  Lewis Gilbert, Curator, Create London

For more information see www.freelandsfoundation.co.uk/commitment-first-grants