Creative Spaces Symposium  

On Thursday 16th of October, we hosted our first-ever Creative Spaces Symposium at The Lab E20, and what a day it was.

Over 130 artists, architects, cultural leaders, developers, and community organisations came together for a full day of ideas, collaboration, and action, exploring one big question:

What makes creative spaces truly inclusive and sustainable?

From reimagining heritage buildings to co-designing safer spaces, building equitable partnerships, and empowering local voices, every discussion added to a growing, collective vision for Newham’s creative future.

Across three panels, two breakout sessions, and countless conversations, one message rang clear:
When we collaborate, we create stronger, fairer spaces for everyone.

The energy and insight shared throughout the day will help shape the next phase of our work; the development of a Creative Spaces Charter for Newham, a shared framework to guide inclusive and sustainable cultural growth across the borough.

This is only the beginning, and we’re excited to continue the journey, building better creative spaces in Newham, together.

Speakers and Contributors

  • Jo Townshend (She/Her)

    Chair and Director, CVAN London

    Read Jo’s Bio

  • Hugh McEwen

    Director, Office S&M Architects

    Read Hugh’s Bio

  • Yves Blais (He/Him)

    Operations Director, Creative Land Trust

    Read Yves’s Bio

  • James Kaguima Founder

    Skate Cabal

    Read James’ Bio

  • Sanaz Amidi

    Chair, Creative Newham

    Read Sanaz’s Bio

  • Yasmin Jones-Henry

    Co-founder & Curator, The Lab E20

    Read Yasmin’s Bio

  • Sarah Nelson (She/Her)

    CEO, Foundation for Future London

    Read Sarah’s Bio

  • Jack Fortescue

    Property Development Acme Artists’ Studios Ltd

    Read Jack’s Bio

  • Tia Hassan

    Creative Director & CEO East London Dance

    Read Tia’s Bio

  • Gee Sinha

    Founder, Project Manager & Director ReSpace

    Read Gee’s Bio

  • Judith Garfield MBE Executive Director

    Executive Director at Eastside Community Heritage 

    Read Judith’s Bio

  • Rupesh Varsani

    Development Director Berkeley Group plc

    Read Rupesh’s Bio

  • Rose Sinclair MBE

    Project Advisory Board member, curator, artists and academic

    Read Rose’s Bio

  • Professor Matthew Bellgard

    Pro Vice-Chancellor, Impact & Innovation, UEL

    Read Matthew’s Bio

  • Sam Ikhuoria

    Cultural Producer, and Alumni of NPP Cultural Producers programme

    Read Sam’s Bio

  • Shazia Hussain

    CEO, London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC)

    Read Shazia’s Bio

  • Alice Devitt

    Director of Fundraising and Development, Foundation for Future London

    Read Alice’s Bio

  • Esther Baker

    Head of Youth Empowerment Services, Newham Council

    Read Esther’s Bio

  • Juma Harding -Dimmock

    Head of Engagement, The Line, and member of Creative Newham’s Project Advisory Board for the Newham Place Partnership Programme

    Read Juma’s Bio

  • Alison Lowe MBE

    Creative Entrepreneur in Residence and Director of Careers and Enterprise - The School of Arts and Creative Industries & Creative Futures lead

    Read Alison’s Bio

  • Jessie Brennan

    Research-led Artist exploring inter-relations between people and places 

    Read Jessie’s Bio

  • Richard Parish

    Historic Places Adviser Historic England

    Read Richard’s Bio

  • Joyce Ogunde

    Interim Head of Inclusive Economy Strategy and Programmes at the London Borough of Newham

    Read Joyce’s Bio

  • Stevan Tennant

    Developments Director, Ballymore

    Read Stevan’s Bio

  • Jordan Williams

    Founder of Adversatile Artists and member of Creative Newham’s Project Advisory Board for the Newham Place Partnership Programme

  • Emma Wilcox

    Emma Wilcox, EW Associates and Chair for Creative Newham’s Project Advisory Board for the Newham Place Partnership Programme

    Read Emma’s Bio

  • Tamsin Ace

    Director, East Bank

    Read Tamsin’s Bio

  • Tia Hassan

    Creative Director & CEO,
    East London Dance

    Read Tia’s Bio

  • Rachel Roe

    Making Space for Culture Manager, Greater London Authority

    Read Rachel’s Bio

  • Bisi Oyekanmi

    Programme Manager Culture and Community Spaces at Risk

    Read Bisi’s Bio

  • Matt Davies

    Head of Economic Development at Royal Docks Enterprise Zone

    Read Matt’s Bio

Programme Highlights

‘Creative Spaces’ will consider what authentic and inclusive creative spaces look like. The symposium will highlight the infrastructure, partnerships, resources, and strategies required for sustainable, co-designed, and equitable outcomes. 

VIEW PROGRAMME SLIDES

    • 9:30 – 10:00 | Arrivals, Registration, Light Refreshments and Networking

    • 10:00 – 10:15 | Welcome & Framing – Sanaz Amidi, Chair, Creative Newham

    • 10:15 – 10:35 | Opening Provocations – Rose Sinclair MBE, Professor Matthew Bellgard, Sam Ikhuoria, Cultural Producer.

    • 10:35-10:40 | Reflections

    • 10:40 – 11:00 | Keynote – Shazia Hussain, CEO, LLDC

    • 11:15 – 12:15 | Panel 1 – Beyond Affordability: Co-Designing Truly Sustainable Creative Spaces

    • 12:15 – 1:15 | Panel 2 – New Models of Partnership for Inclusive Creative Spaces 

    • 1:15 – 2:00 | Lunch & Networking 

    • 2:00-2:10 | Spotlight:

      Rachael Roe - Making Space for Culture Manager, Culture, Creative Industries and 24 Hour London Unit, Greater London Authority (GLA)

      Bisi Oyekanmi - Programme Manager, Culture and Community Spaces at Risk, Greater London Authority (GLA)

    • 2:10 – 3:10 | Panel 3 – Heritage Buildings: Challenges & Opportunities for Creative Use

    • 3:10 – 3:50 | Breakout Discussion 1 – Defining Safe Creative Spaces

    • 4:10 – 4:50 | Breakout Discussion 2 – Creative Spaces & Newham’s Cultural Character

    • 4:50 – 5:10 | Plenary & Next Steps – Towards a Creative Spaces Charter

    • 5:10 | Close