People’s Pavilion Festival 2023
Project
People’s Pavilion Festival 2023
Client
Beyond the Box Initiative
Location
East London
The People’s Pavilion was born from an act of protest as to who has the power to design and curate cultural civic space in our city. We set out to create a test ground for collaborative design and production methodologies that sought to explore equity-centred community design.
The People’s Pavilion Festival is the cultural programming arm of the project, a vibrant community event produced by Beyond the Box in collaboration with a team of young cultural producers commissioned from across East London.
This initiative aims to empower emerging designers and producers by providing them with opportunities to curate and produce a festival at the People’s Pavilion, leading to the creation of London’s first space entirely designed, built, and programmed by young Londoners..
The festival serves as a platform for youth empowerment, creativity, and cultural expression, engaging participants in a wide range of activities that reflect the diverse and dynamic nature of East London's communities.
Through workshops, performances, and interactive exhibits, the festival not only showcases the talents and visions of young people but also fosters a sense of ownership and pride in their contributions to the city's cultural landscape.
About
We engage young emerging producers aged 16-25 from East London, providing practical skills development and paid employment opportunities. These producers work collaboratively to produce an event of their choice as part of the festival’s lineup. The project flips the script on traditional event curation, empowering young voices to celebrate culture and tell their stories.
Key Features
Cultural Producers: Young designers collaborate with producers to curate the festival, investing in arts and culture through equitable commissioning.
Skill Development: Partnered with Gain Ctrl to provide music studio access and mentorship to aspiring musicians and producers, enhancing skills in cultural and music production.
Collaborations: Engaged over 50 artists, musicians, DJs, filmmakers, choreographers, community organisations, and practitioners in the festival’s diverse lineup.
Highlights
The 2023 festival spanned 10 days, showcasing a dynamic lineup of creative collaborations and community engagement. Highlights included:
Creative Partnerships: Collaborations across art forms, including music, film, dance, and visual arts.
Community Involvement: Participation from local organisations and practitioners, fostering community cohesion and celebration.
Youth Empowerment: Empowering young producers to lead and shape cultural narratives through hands-on experience and mentorship.
Impact and Legacy
Skill Development: Provided opportunities for emerging producers to develop event planning, marketing, and production skills.
Cultural Investment: Continued commitment to equity by design, commissioning all collaborators and amplifying diverse voices.
Legacy of Creativity: Leaving a lasting impact on East London’s cultural landscape, showcasing the talent and creativity of young Londoners.