Welcome to our new season for 2023- “Inspire”! It’s an exciting time at St Margaret’s House as we begin our new year with a season of activism, arts, performance and heritage to get you inspired! We have an “Evening of Protest” with new guest artists, themed Open Mic nights, a flamenco dance piece inspired by fireflies and a fantastic series of workshops including a new circus project! Added to that, St Margaret’s House has two new Arts and Wellbeing Producers and is one of the few new organisations in London to gain Arts Council funding! Inspiring times ahead! our new season for 2023- “Inspire”! It’s an exciting time at St Margaret’s House as we begin our new year with a season of activism, arts, performance and heritage to get you inspired! We have an “Evening of Protest” with new guest artists, themed Open Mic nights, a flamenco dance piece inspired by fireflies and a fantastic series of workshops including a new circus project! Added to that, St Margaret’s House has two new Arts and Wellbeing Producers and is one of the few new organisations in London to gain Arts Council funding! Inspiring times ahead!

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A unique career development programme for creatives in the city.  Aimed at graduates, start-ups, emergent & mid-career photographers/artists, Four Corners LCN offers:

• Business support tailored for the creative industries
• Photography specific workshops & talks led by industry professionals
• Specialist practical sessions including darkroom, studio, and moving image skills
• Opportunities to access Four Corners’ production facilities including film equipment, studio and darkroom
• Support with arts fundraising and bid development
• Opportunities to create and exhibit new projects
• The chance to be part of a creative community of freelancers from across the city.

Apply by 28 June: https://bit.ly/LCNSummer22 Read more…

Free part-time course in photography   Open to Tower Hamlets residents aged 14–25 and over 50.   Want to know more about photography and developing your own prints? Into Focus is a free, part-time course exploring film photography. Collaborate with people from across Tower Hamlets to develop camera skills in just 12 weeks.

• Learn about different camera techniques and get the chance to put these into practice in our professional photography studio
• Experiment with printing methods in the Four Corners’ darkroom
• Explore Tower Hamlets through local photography walks
• Showcase your work online and/or at Four Corners’ Gallery (covid-permitting)

All on-site practical workshops will be run safely according to Covid guidelines. There are 12 places available for the next round beginning Thursday 10th February. The course will take place every Thursday 4-7pm for 12 weeks. To apply, please complete the application form on our website. Read more…

Free film school for Tower Hamlets residents. 

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Apply online by 22nd November 2021.

ZOOM offers one year of professional support for those interested in a career in Film or TV, including:

• 6 weeks of practical filmmaking training, including the production of a short film.
• 3 mentoring sessions with a high-caliber industry professional.
• Accreditation (Open College Network credits in Film Production).
• Masterclasses and networking sessions.
• Paid placement and job opportunities.
• Bespoke career guidance and pastoral support.
• Travel and childcare costs.

Open to:

• Residents of Tower Hamlets
• aged 18+
• from a lower socio-economic background, unemployed, in a low waged role, and/or claiming benefits
• not in full-time education.

We particularly welcome applications from groups currently under-represented in the film/TV industry. This includes women, people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, single parents, and carers. “It was just amazing how Four Corners were not just offering the course, but also assisted me in everything I needed in order to be able to do it. They covered childcare, for example. They went above and beyond to help me do the course. The training changed my life. I feel like for the first time in many years, I’m finally able to do something that I really like.” – ZOOM Participant Read more…

Free part-time course in photography   Open to Tower Hamlets residents aged 14–25 and over 50. Want to know more about photography and developing your own prints?  Into Focus is a free, part-time course exploring film photography. Collaborate with people from across Tower Hamlets to develop camera skills in just 12 weeks.

• Learn about different camera techniques and get the chance to put these into practice in our professional photography studio
• Experiment with printing methods in the Four Corners’ darkroom
• Explore Tower Hamlets through local photography walks
• Showcase your work online and/or at Four Corners’ Gallery (covid-permitting)

We’re open from 21st April 2021, but will continue to run online sessions if needed. All on-site practical workshops will be run safely according to Covid guidelines, with some additional sessions taking place online. To apply, please visit the website for more info. Read more…

Exploring the 1978 anti-racist uprising led by East London’s Bengali community. Brick Lane 1978: The Turning Point is a major heritage project exploring this history. With the help of volunteers and original activists, we are creating a vital record of this watershed moment as told by local people. 4 MAY 1978 A young Bengali garment worker is found dead near Brick Lane; yet another racially-motivated attack endured by the Asian population of East London. This time however, things are different. The brutal murder of Altab Ali mobilises the community to take action. 14 MAY 1978 7,000 Bengalis march from Brick Lane to Hyde Park then Downing Street behind Ali’s coffin, in an unprecedented uprising against racist far-right groups. Their actions represent a turning point in resistance against racial discrimination. East London will change for good. — The project will produce:

• an archive of photographs and oral histories
• a short documentary film
• a touring exhibition
• a free public events programme
• a study pack for schools

— DO YOU REMEMBER THE BATTLE OF BRICK LANE?  We are seeking participants to be interviewed for the Brick Lane 1978 project. Renowned photographer Paul Trevor captured the May 1978 protests. We are using his never-before-seen images to help identify and gather the memories of those involved at the time, and we need your help.

• Were you living in the Brick Lane area during the late 1970s?
• Do you remember the anti-racist protests galvanised by the murder of Altab Ali?
• Were you involved in the protests, either as an activist or witness?

We want to hear from you. Read more…