We’ve had an exciting and jam packed Autumn term so far! Read on to find out about our recent activities and how you can support the important work we do.
Christmas Giving Campaign
This festive season, we need your help to continue to inspire more children in 2025.
We rely on the generosity of our supporters, without whom we couldn’t continue our important work across the UK. For every donation of £50 or more to inspire and empower the next generation of creative thinkers this winter, you’ll be able to claim a free copy of our Spoken Word Power Anthology of youth poetry written by children across the country.
Please spread the word! Instead of buying each other Christmas gifts this year, why not ask your friends and family to consider donating to support our life-changing programmes instead?
Give the gift of creativity this Christmas.
You can donate via our website.
Every donation we receive, large or small, helps to fund the important work we do, and allows us to expand our reach and help even more young people.
Recruitment
We are currently recruiting for a Creative Learning Freelance Project Manager to support the Schools Programme team with the delivery of the “Who Are We?” project, Eastside’s new enquiry-led creative education project funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Teacher Development Fund.
The deadline for applications is midday on 22nd November 2024. If you know anyone who may be interested in this role, please share this message with them!
BFI Film Academy
Throughout this term we’ve been running our annual BFI Film Academy for young people across London. A cohort of twenty 16-19 year olds have been working closely with industry professionals to receive practical training in cinematography, editing, directing, producing, distribution as well as the lesser-known roles within film production including sound design and art department. Alongside this, the students have been working on their own short films, which will be premiered at the British Film Institute at end of the course, in front of friends, family and industry professionals.
Find out more about this programme.
Watch the films from last year’s cohort below:
East Ed
We are running events during the Autumn Term for schools in Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest, as part of our East Ed programme.
Find out more and sign up to each event below:
20th November: How to promote a culture of representation and inclusion in visual arts
4th December: Bringing Music & Poetry into your KS2 & KS3 classroom with the BBC
22nd January: Dance Network Event and Teacher CPD
Keep an eye on the full event collection here.
SWP Anthology Launch Event
On the 6th November, we held a launch party for our Spoken Word Power 2024 Anthology ‘Hear My Voice’, at Shoreditch Town Hall.
We were joined by representatives from UNESCO, many of our brilliant poet facilitators, young people who have taken part in the programme and their families, our trustees and the wider Eastside team to celebrate the fantastic work produced by schools across the country over the last year.
With heartfelt poetry readings from the anthology led by young people and some of our artists, and a generous donation from Two Tribes brewery, it was a joyful evening that saw us looking back to celebrate and looking forward with anticipation of our upcoming 5 years of future funding for the programme in London from John Lyon’s Charity.
Find out more about Spoken Word Power
Workplace Fund
Eastside is pleased to announce that we have been granted £163,769.80 by Hackney Council’s Affordable Workspace Fund to help transform Eastside’s Shoreditch HQ into a fully wheelchair accessible, green and affordable workplace, preserving our historic building for future generations of young people and the wider community who use our creative spaces. Renovations will include installing a new lift opening, incorporating new signage and installing key elements of our 30th anniversary exhibition throughout the building to celebrate Eastside’s heritage within this key local arts hub for years to come