Take a quick look over our highlights from 2024
Stepping into 2025 is a great opportunity to look back at the milestones and achievements that shaped Creative Land Trust over the past year.
2024 was a transformative year, marked by the continued growth of our creative spaces, team and the vibrant events across our properties. From welcoming artists to two new studios to hosting inspiring cultural programs, 2024 set great foundations for an exciting 2025.
January
New Year hosted the In and Out Exhibition at Gerry Raffles, brought together in collaboration with the University of East London, Both Gallery, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Hive Curates, and Creative Land Trust. The exhibition was part of the Alice Billings Connects Programme by Hive Curates, a cultural programme along Stratford High Street to reinvigorate interest in Alice Billing House.
February
Dominus announced its partnership with CLT to develop the cultural and community space on the ground floor of its Holborn PBSA development. The partnership facilitates CLT’s fourth creative space in the capital.
Creative Land Trust also attended the Visual Arts roundtable with Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport, Thangam Debbonaire MP, Shadow Minister for Arts and Heritage Lilian Greenwood MP, and Shadow Spokesperson for Culture Media and Sport, Steve Bassam, convened by CVAN and DACS.
March
March held the first Alice Billing Arts and Makers Fair, to celebrate a year of the Alice Billings Connects Cultural Programme, supported by the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority’s High Streets for All Challenge. Featuring sensational performances, live music creative workshops, and a vibrant selection of vendors showcasing art, fashion, skincare, craft, and more.
April
Operations Manager Yves Blais took part in a panel discussion with Hackney Bridge, Stratford Workshops, and the University of East London about Stratford’s wide-ranging cultural offer and creative workspace in the London Borough of Newham. The event is hosted by Stratford Original BID as part of their Stratford Future programme at Us&Co Flexible Workspaces.
May
Head of Development Gemma Dean joined IPUT Real Estate Dublin CEO Niall Gaffney and Patrick Murphy from Dublin’s Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts on The IPUT Podcast. They discussed vital issues affecting the built environment and the role of art and culture in revitalising cities.
June
It was an exciting June as we welcomed guests from the worlds of arts and culture, property and finance, and London’s local government to join the Creative Land Trust team in celebrating the opening of Alice Billing House. Run by Grow Studios, the new affordable workspace for artists in Stratford, in the London Borough of Newham, offers 7,000 square feet of affordable workspace for London’s leading creatives.
July
Florence Peake joins Creative Land Trust as an Artist Ambassador, supporting our mission to build a portfolio of permanently affordable studio spaces for artists and makers. Florence is a London-based artist known for her multidisciplinary approach, blending solo and group performance works with an extensive visual art practice since 1995.
August
Creative Land Trust announces the launch of a new artist residency with JG Contemporary at The Verdean, Friary Park, in partnership with Mount Anvil and Peabody. A talented roster of artists moved in, ahead of the handover to activate The Verdean and surrounding areas, the residency promises to be a cornerstone of art and community engagement, fostering a vibrant and prosperous future for Acton.
October
Andy Martin joins Creative Land Trust as the New Chair of the Board of Trustees. Replacing our Co-Chairs Alexandra Notay and Catherine Webster who offered incredible support during our start-up phase. Andy is poised to help us expand our property portfolio and reach across the real estate and investment sectors to secure more affordable workspace for artists and creatives.
November
To mark Black History Month 2024, Alice Billings House invited artists and creative practitioners from the local and wider community to apply to their artist-in-residency programme. The open call culminated with Newham-based artist, Marilyn J Fontaine taking up the 10-day paid residency.
Output from the residency forms the Speculative Archive project, part of a year-long engagement programme at Alice Billing House, supported by ourselves and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
December
As the year wrapped up, Creative Land Trust celebrated another successful milestone with new financial support just around the corner. Looking forward to 2025, we are excited to continue supporting artists, fostering community engagement, and expanding creative spaces across London.