News

Trinity Laban is a partner organisation of the Mayor of London’s new Creative Enterprise Zone SHAPESLewisham

Last December the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced six new Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ), a ground-breaking initiative to provide investment and support for artists and creative businesses in the capital, ensuring that London remains one of the most entrepreneurial and innovative business centres in the world.

SHAPESLewisham, the CEZ for Deptford and New Cross, is delivered in partnership with Trinity Laban, Second Floor Studios & Arts, Studio Raw, The Albany, Lean, Goldsmiths, University of London, and Lewisham Council. The initiative aims to retain creative talent from the borough’s education institutions and increase affordable spaces for the fast-growing creative sector.

On Wednesday 15 May Trinity Laban students were among a vibrant and diverse range local creative talent showcased at the launch of the new zone, which saw the opening of 85 purpose-built affordable studios and workspaces, and the launch of a new online platform for local creative businesses.

Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries, Justine Simons OBE, joined Mayor of Lewisham Damien Egan and other council members at the day’s events.

Justine Simons OBE said –

“London is overflowing with talent and imagination, and its creativity makes the capital a place where people want to live, work and visit. The influence of our artists is felt in every corner of the city, but artists and creative businesses are under threat from rising rents, development and the uncertainty of Brexit. It is more important than ever that we support the creative sector and send a clear signal that London is open to creativity, talent and innovation.”

 Anthony Bowne, Principal, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance commented –

“Trinity Laban is delighted to be a partner organisation of SHAPESLewisham Creative Enterprise Zone and part of the launch event for Second Floor Studios and Arts & Deptford Foundry.

“As London’s Creative Conservatoire, our work engages our local community – reaching 10,000 young people and 40,000 overall with music and dance programmes – as well as putting Deptford on the map nationally and internationally with our world-class training and facilities and RIBA award-winning Faculty of Dance building. We applaud this recognition of all the creativity energy and enterprise in Deptford and New Cross, and the growth it will continue to bring to the area.”

 

 For more information on CEZ visit the shapeslewisham.co.uk