Press Release: Innovative art programme to transform libraries into cultural hubs with training for artists

A ground-breaking initiative aimed at integrating artists and communities in library spaces, is set to transform the borough’s libraries into vibrant cultural hubs.

Art at Heart was developed in response to feedback from around 8,500 Hackney residents, and residents expressing that one of their top desires is for libraries to become dynamic centres for creativity. This summer, the project will train early-career artists through paid residencies in libraries across Hackney, collaborating closely with local community groups. 

The initiative, led by Hackney Council in collaboration with Art School Plus, and funded by Arts Council England, will see award-winning artists including Ingrid Pollard and Olivia Plender, lend their expertise to help the artists integrate their work and residencies into library spaces. Local artists will take part in a training week facilitated by artist, feminist and co-founder of the Glasgow Women's Library Dr Adele Patrick.

Hackney’s Libraries service will also partner with students from the MFA Curating course at Goldsmiths, University of London to provide two curators with a specialism in socially engaged and public art an opportunity to work in libraries. Acting as advisers and peers, the curators will support the artists working within the library spaces to build a network and trigger future collaborations.

Disability-led arts organisation SHAPE will collaborate with Arts School Plus to break down barriers in culture and to involve their network of disabled creatives in reimagining the library as a vibrant place of community, expression and imagination. 

The programme is part of Hackney’s libraries strategy which focuses on promoting creativity, reading and lifelong learning, digital inclusion, volunteering and participation, and engaging with vulnerable people and communities throughout the borough.

When we asked residents what they wanted to see in their local library, they told us that they wanted to use library spaces for creative and community activities. So we’re delighted to help develop the talents of artists and use libraries to provide a platform to showcase their work. We are grateful to Arts Council England for their funding and we are excited to be sharing our learnings in a sector-first toolkit with other local authorities across the country. Initiatives like Art at Heart are part of our vision to ensure the borough’s libraries remain relevant, fit for the modern digital world and accessible to all.

Cllr Chris Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Leisure and Culture

“

This partnership underscores our commitment to nurturing partnerships which support diversity in public experiences of art. Through Art at Heart we envision a transformed library service deeply connected to its community, offering enriching cultural experiences that benefit Hackney residents and support artist development.

Ella Snell, Director Art School Plus

“

Art at Heart is a groundbreaking initiative that looks to bring together the twinned life changing possibilities that libraries and art can offer to people. Hackney is a brilliant community with amazing library provision and the work Hackney libraries has done to bring the arts to the people who use them is truly inspiring. I am delighted to be part of the team that is supporting this, the latest phase of development.
 

Dr Adele Patrick, artist, feminist and co-founder of the Glasgow Women's Library

“

Art at Heart exemplifies our commitment to transforming public spaces into vibrant cultural hubs. By integrating artists and communities into the redevelopment of Hackney’s libraries, we're not only enriching the community's engagement with the arts but also setting a precedent for how libraries can serve as dynamic centres for creativity. This initiative is a crucial way of demonstrating how to embed culture into public spaces, and we're excited to see the lasting impact it will have on both the local community and participating artists.
 

Luke Burton, Director, Libraries at Arts Council England

Residents will have the opportunity to visit their local libraries and take part in the Art at Heart programme during the summer. Dates and times for the arts activities will be published on Love Hackney in July 2024.

Notes

Hackney Libraries Service

Hackney Council runs eight libraries and a Community Library Service - its membership is open to anyone and allows customers to borrow stock, to use the computers and participate in cultural, learning and community focused activities. Information on all Hackney Libraries can be found on Love Hackney.

The libraries strategy for Hackney 2022 to 2026 is a vision for what the borough’s library service aims to achieve over the four years. It responds directly to what residents said they wanted for their libraries. View libraries strategy for Hackney 2022 to 2026 here.

Art School Plus

Art School Plus connects early-career artists with organisations, businesses, and public realm projects.

Art School Plus is both an alternative artist training programme and an innovator of unique projects. It is the bridge between artists and opportunities which exist outside of a gallery setting, supporting both organisations and artists in making projects a reality.

The Art School Plus programme champions the role of the artist within a wider social context, supporting a true diversity of voices and perspectives in this space.

Arts Council England

Arts Council England (ACE) is the national development agency for creativity and culture. 

ACE has set out their strategic vision in Let’s Create that by 2030 England will be a country in which the creativity of all is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone has access to a range of high quality cultural experiences. ACE invest public money from the Government and The National Lottery to help support the sector and to deliver the vision.

Contact information

Hackney Council - general enquiries

Tеl: 020 8356 3000
Email: info@hackney.gov.uk

 

Hackney Council press office

020 8356 3736 (including for urgent out of hours enquiries). 
 
Email: press@hackney.gov.uk