The network
Hundreds of local residents, community groups and artists participate in making this an event for everyone to enjoy. These include: arts organisation, Artillery, social enterprise, Beatroots Creative, inclusive dance company, DashDotDance, Waltham Forest Muslim Culture Forum, a network of Muslim creatives, local drinks producer, Wild Card Brewery, performing arts academy, X7eaven and many others
In 2019, 2,873 people performed at the festival or participated in producing/programming it, including 500 local children. Our role is to help build connections with, and between, the local partners who make Walthamstow Garden Party happen. Since 2014, when the festival first began, we’ve worked year-round creating space for people with different skills, backgrounds and expertise to come together to express their creativity. This has led to fresh collaborations between local artists and creatives, paid work for local people, and development opportunities for young people across the borough.
Make a difference
Community cohesion, inclusivity and sustainability are woven into the fabric of this much-loved, award-winning festival. And we’re committed to taking action that results in positive change. For example, we banned single-use plastic at the event, and food waste has been recycled into free compost for Waltham Forest residents.
In 2019, we were announced as one of the world’s top green events, winning A Greener Festival commended award. We’ve also been selected for the highly regarded Accelerator Programme, run by Arts Council England and Julie’s Bicycle, to explore how Walthamstow Garden Party can inspire people, the arts sector and local authorities to come together and take action for a more sustainable future.
We’ve signed up to Keychange 50:50, led by PRS for Music Foundation, which encourages festivals to achieve a 50:50 gender balance in their programming by 2022. In 2019, our main stage programmed five out of eight female-led acts. And we have a bronze certification from Attitude is Everything, who work to improve Deaf and disabled people’s access to live music.
None of this would be possible without the London Borough of Waltham Forest and Arts Council England and we’re grateful for their ongoing support.
The Future of Walthamstow Garden Party
Festival Update
After six incredible festivals in Lloyd Park and 2020’s “In The Air”, we wanted to let you know that Walthamstow Garden Party will not be going ahead in Summer 2022.
The past two years have provided an opportunity for many of us to reflect on our priorities and to work together to reimagine what we do, as well as why and how we do it. We are aware that the world looks very different now than it did back in 2019 and continues to be a time of real challenge for so many of us. We want to ensure that what we do is responsive and creates space for new ideas and positive change.
We are delighted that the long-term creative partnership between the Barbican and London Borough of Waltham Forest will continue, and we are excited to see what will emerge through our continued collaboration. Please check back here for future updates and opportunities.
We’re grateful for the continued support from Arts Council England to help us with this next phase of our partnership.
Creative Citizens
About
The Creative Citizens programme creates professional development opportunities for artists and arts organisations living or working in Walthamstow.
Beyond Barbican
About
Inspired by the bold ideas and creativity of communities, we believe in working with our neighbours across east London, and learning together to develop inclusive and sustainable projects and networks.
Working year-round, Beyond Barbican builds relationships and connections with, and between, local partners, creating space for people with different skills, backgrounds and expertise to come together to realise creative projects in their neighbourhoods.
