Creative Enterprise Zone launched in Deptford and New Cross
We have worked with a number of local partners to successfully bid for New Cross and Deptford to become one of London’s first Creative Enterprise Zones, securing over £500,000 in funding from the Mayor of London.
The Creative Enterprise Zone, known as SHAPESLewisham, will:
- support creative businesses to connect and collaborate
- increase access to affordable workspace so creatives can put down roots and stay in our community
- link creative enterprises to the skills, expertise and facilities of our education and cultural institutions
- provide career pathways from school into further education, higher education and a career in the creative sector
Why Deptford and New Cross?
The Creative Enterprise Zone will build on the unique strengths of the Deptford and New Cross area with its rich history of arts, thriving creative and digital sector, and its huge cultural and educational assets.
The area has a unique creative environment and a growing number of creative businesses from digital and graphic design, contemporary visual art to dance and music. Employment in the sector grew by 71% in the last five years – twice the rate of the capital as a whole.
Collaborate and find opportunities with other creatives
SHAPESLewisham has launched a new online portal for creative businesses and freelancers to interact, collaborate and advertise jobs and contract opportunities.
SHAPESLewisham is a partnership between the Council and key artistic, creative and educational institutions including:
- Goldsmiths, University of London
- Trinity Laban
- the Albany
- Second Floor Studios
- Studio Raw
- Lewisham Education Arts Network.
Additional funding for a new enterprise hub
Alongside the launch of the Creative Enterprise Zone, it was announced today that alongside Goldsmiths, University of London, we have been successful in bidding for over £1.6m worth of funding from the Mayor of London to support the opening of a new Enterprise Hub in New Cross.