Civic Catalysts: Current Opportunities

Deptford Town Hall and its Statues: Creative Commissions

Background:

Based in New Cross in the borough of Lewisham, Goldsmiths is a Higher Education Institution founded in 1892 that offers undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees in the arts, humanities and social sciences, with a particular focus on creativity and social justice. Following a 137-day student-led occupation by GARA (Goldsmiths anti-racist action) in 2019, Goldsmiths has been critically re-evaluating the statues on the front of its Deptford Town Hall Building, which it purchased from Lewisham Council for a nominal fee in the late 1990s. The statues represent a colonial history that links to slavery and racial injustice. Following a series of consultation exercises in 2022, the decision was taken by Goldsmiths to retain the statues and commit to further interpretation and engagement around the issues that they represent. These commissions are one part of fulfilling those commitments.

Commission one: £8,000 Film Commission

Deptford Town Hall (DTH) and its Statues Goldsmiths, University of London is seeking to commission a global majority artist, filmmaker or global majority-led organisation with links to the London Borough of Lewisham to produce a short film responding to issues raised by Deptford Town Hall and its statues. Working in collaboration with an academic at Goldsmiths, proposals must demonstrate how they will meaningfully and ethically involve communities most impacted by the legacies of slavery, colonialism, and racial injustice. The commissioned film will be used by Goldsmiths as an educational tool exploring and communicating the histories embodied by the town hall and its statues.

Closing date to apply - 9am on 10 February 2025

For full details of the brief, eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit DTH Film Commission

Commission two: £8,000 Community Creative Commission for Young People

Goldsmiths, University of London is seeking to commission a community organisation or practitioner that works with young people, with links to the London Borough of Lewisham, to produce a creative response to the issues raised by Deptford Town Hall and its statues. Working in collaboration with an academic at Goldsmiths, proposals must demonstrate how they will meaningfully and ethically involve local young people from communities most impacted by the legacies of slavery, colonialism, and racial injustice. The commissioned creative response can be in any medium and we welcome proposals for new artworks, performance, music, writing, film, events, interactive experiences, and digital work, among others.

Closing date to apply - 9am on 10 February 2025

For full details of the brief, eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit DTH Creative Commission for Young People