Open Call for Artists; Celebrate Newham and creativity in Stratford

In 2021 Creative Land Trust agreed with London Borough Newham (LBN) to take on a lease and refurbish a disused Grade II listed building just behind Stratford Town Hall, at the junction of West Ham Lane and Stratford’s high street The Broadway. Alice Billings House (ABH) is a property owned by the Council and was built c.1905 as two matching blocks of firefighters’ accommodation with a courtyard between.

The property is currently unused but has enormous potential to better to serve the local community, due to its layout and location adjacent to the high street. A capital project to sensitively and effectively restore the property for a new use, will provide a focal point for creative activity, a cultural hub with public facing facilities like a café offer and gallery space, as well as studios for local makers, designers and visual, digital and performance artists to work and collaborate in proximity to the town centre.

Their vision for the site includes the creation of affordable studio spaces, but also activation of associated space (notably the courtyard) for public use, generating a community asset around a café and gallery/exhibition space. This will take place across 2022, with parts of the site being activated in 2022 and 2023.  As a historic property in a high street location, ABH is an important site for the local area, and the re-activation of this space for public beneficial use needs to reflect its location, its history and all the vibrancy and creativity that Newham has to offer.

Following receipt of funds from Greater London Authority’s High Streets for All Challenge, Creative Land Trust is looking for applicants to put forward proposals for a project, e.g. a temporary artwork, an installation, or intervention on the streets in proximity to Alice Billings House, a new property in Creative Land Trust’s portfolio that will be turned into artist studios.

To apply or to learn more about this exciting new Creative Land Trust’s project around the Alice Billing House see link below.