Love Camden Cultural Strategy Launch Reflection
On Tuesday 24th February, we gathered at Inner Space, Town Hall by Bottaccio in the heart of London for the launch of the Love Camden Cultural Strategy 2026-2031, marking the start of an ambitious journey to bring this strategy to life.
The room was packed with artists, councillors, educators, young creatives, community leaders, and arts organisations — all in one space to celebrate the start of something truly special for Camden. The whole evening was a true reflection of Camden’s cultural community: full of passion, enthusiasm and a real commitment to enrich people’s lives, strengthen communities and support Camden’s thriving creative economy.
From the moment guests arrived, the space was illuminated with culture - from artworks by our Light Up Kilburn artists Chila Kumari Burman MBE and Daisy Doig (shown above) to the warming steel pan rhythms from Camden Music Service's Adult Steel Pan Group.
🎤 A Shared Vision for Culture
Our incredible hosts, Camden residents and Love Camden Advisors Sami and Sajna, brought incredible energy and heart to the night, as well as a genuine passion for Camden. They opened the evening by reminding us what this strategy is really about: the people, places, and stories that make Camden truly unique - and this bold step towards how we can shape and nurture that.
We then heard from Sabrina Francis, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Young People and Culture, who set out the ambition behind the strategy — ensuring culture remains inclusive, community-led and woven into everyday life across the borough.
A powerful strategy film followed, grounding the vision in real voices and lived experience. Watch here:
✍🏽 Young Voices, Big Impact
One of the highlights of the evening was poetry from the Camden Young Writers Collective, supported by the Cultural Education and Learning Support Fund.
Introduced by Natasha Ryan from The Poetry Society, the performances from Eloise Wainwright and Aya Elgool were moving, confident and electric. A reminder that Camden’s future cultural leaders are already here - and they are extraordinary.
There’s something special about hearing young writers speak their truth in a room full of decision-makers. You could have heard a pin drop during these inspiring performances.
🏛 A Building With History
We were honoured to host the launch inside Camden's old Town Hall — a space with deep cultural roots, including hosting the first London Caribbean Carnival, which we honoured with a blue plaque in 2025.
Hearing from Town Hall by Bottacio's Head of Programming, Michael Harris about the building’s history added another layer of meaning to the night. Culture in Camden isn’t new - there is a great history to it and a promising future.
We were delighted to welcome Michelle Walker, London Area Director for Arts Council England. She spoke warmly and passionately about this Cultural Strategy, describing it as a real testament to Camden’s commitment to culture, and sharing her excitement for the journey ahead and all we hope to achieve together by 2031.
🌟 Spotlight on Place
The return of Light Up Kilburn was another key moment — a celebration of local pride and neighbourhood creativity.
Our host Sami shared words from Love Camden Advisor and Chair of the Friends of Kilburn Grange Park Ajay Kumble, who reminded us that culture doesn’t just happen in venues, it lives in parks, high streets and everyday interactions.
And that every neighbourhood, from Kilburn to Kentish Town to Holborn, has a light of its own.
🎶 Ending on a High
We closed with DJs from HvH Arts, light bites circulating, conversations flowing, and a pledge wall filling up with commitments for Camden’s cultural future.
What a beautiful celebration - a huge thank you to all who joined us. This strategy now moves into delivery - and what the evening made clear is this:
Camden’s cultural community is ready for it
