Join the Camden High Street Cultural Advisory Group
Want to shape culture on Camden High Street ?
Camden Culture Service are seeking individuals from the community to help shape the spring 2026 cultural celebration through forming a Camden High Street Cultural Advisory Group. The culture programme has been at the heart of the 18 month trial pedestrianisation. The aim of the group is to contribute knowledge, experience, and support to the development of the High Street Cultural Programme, most notably supporting the planning and delivery of the Spring Celebration event that will draw this phase of the programme to a close.
The group will ensure that the event reflects the community’s voice, celebrates the creativity and diversity of Camden, and contributes meaningfully to the future vision for Camden Town.
Background
Camden High Street is at the heart of Camden as a shopping and transport hub for locals and a world-famous destination for tourists. It is an iconic destination with up to 40,000 visitors at any one time.
Camden Council has proposed a trial pedestrianisation of Camden High Street. The plan aims to create a safer, more enjoyable environment for visitors and local residents by restricting vehicle access, promoting active travel, and providing spaces for cultural activities. The trial is designed to run for up to 18 months, during which the high street will be activated by cultural activities and temporary public realm interventions to take place.
CAMDEN HIGH STREET PEDESTRIANISATION CULTURAL PROGRAMME
Aligned with the trial pedestrianisation of Camden High Street, this cultural programme emerges from the community’s desire for activities that reflect Camden’s unique cultural character. The traffic-free space has opened up opportunities for a series of dynamic cultural events that enliven the public realm and bring ambitious, community-led initiatives to life for Camden’s residents.
The Camden High Street Cultural Programme is a seasonally driven celebration of Camden’s rich history, stories, and grassroots culture, bringing its unique character to life across the year. Running from May 2025 to April 2026, this programme will feature “anchor moments”—major events designed to captivate an and engage the community - alongside a series of smaller, complementary activities throughout the year.
Event Programme so far:
Spring : Camden Street Party – Cultural Programme Launch 5th May
A street party “lunch” bringing local organisations and residents together for food, music, and entertainment for 80 year VE Day anniversary.
Welcome to Camden High Street Temporary Mural – 19th May
“Welcome to Camden” Mural on Camden High Street
DJ AG x Camden High Street – 4 June
A series of live streams by DJ AG from Camden High Street in partnership with the council.
The Herds x Camden High Street – 4 June
Public art and large-scale movement of puppet animals to demonstrate impact of climate change and migration of species
Summer Sounds – 12 July
Celebrating Camden’s music heritage, spotlighting grassroots and young talent
Camden as a Catwalk – 21 September
Sustainable Fashion market place and LFW Catwalk, highlighting 60 years of Camden’s fashion history
Camden High Street Cultural Advisor Role:
What does participating involve?
• Contributing ideas to an ongoing overall vision and shape of the Spring celebration theme, content, design and delivery.
• Advising, and where agreed assisting, the Culture Service with programming the event, through bringing networks in the community*
• Consulting on best practice for engagement and communication with agreed audiences, and communities;
• Actively engaging and advising on the ongoing promotion, marketing, and publicity of the programme, including active promotion through community networks;
• Providing feedback and guidance on community perspectives that will support the overall delivery of the event.
• Committing to attend 4 meetings in the lead up to the event (1hr per meeting) on pre-agreed dates either in person or via video call
• Being an advocate and champion of the programme
Act as a link between Camden Council, residents, cultural partners, and traders to foster transparency and collaboration.
Participate in evaluation and legacy discussions for the Cultural Programme
* Curation and programming will be led by the Culture Service and external producers/programmers as required. The role of the advisors will be to advise and bring networks to strengthen and inform curation and programming, acting as a key reference group. Final programming decisions will remain with the Culture Service.
Membership Composition
The Camden High Street advisory group will include up to 8 members, representing:
· Local residents and community organisations
· Camden-based artists and cultural producers
· Traders or business representatives
· Representatives from the youth and education sectors
Members will be selected through an open call process, reviewed by the Love Camden Advisors panel to ensure diversity and inclusivity.
Time Commitment
Approx. 4 meetings (in-person or online)
Occasional email consultation between meetings
Optional participation in the Spring Closing Event
About You:
Live, work, represent an organisation or business in or around Camden High Street and Camden Town
Good knowledge of the boroughs neighbourhoods and communities
Good links to voluntary and community groups
An interest in arts and culture events and activities
What you can expect:
You'll need to join meetings from January 2026 to May 2026. We'll make sure the meetings are accessible.
The role is unremunerated; however, a voucher will be made available to those selected to support and facilitate their participation as an advisory group member.
Applications
The application should include a short statement (no longer than one page) responding to the following questions:
Why do you want to be a member of the Camden High Street Cultural Programme Advisory Group?
(Please tell us what interests you about the programme and what motivates you to get involved in shaping the final Spring Closing Event.)What experience, skills or knowledge do you have that you feel would support this group’s work?
(This could include experience in community engagement, culture, events, placemaking, accessibility, sustainability, or working with local businesses or residents.)What networks, perspectives or connections can you bring from your own experience or organisation to help strengthen the group’s reach and impact?
Key Dates
The following dates are provisional and may be subject to change. Prior notice will be given in the instance of any changes.
Friday 24 October – Friday 21 November 2025: Open for Expressions of Interest
w/c 5 December 2025: Panel decision for shortlisted applications.
w/c 8 – 19 December 2025: Successful applicants confirmed
w/c 19 or 26 January 2026: First meeting of the Camden High Street Cultural Programme Advisory Group
We encourage interested individuals to apply early, selection may occur on a rolling basis during the application window.
Please email your application to culture@camden.gov.uk .