Micro-Commissions
Overview
Culture Within Newham are excited to announce the projects chosen by our Community Voices Panel to develop Micro-Commissions for Newham.
In December 2024 Culture Within Newham launched a new micro-commissioning scheme for grants of up to £1,000. The first round offered commissions to artists and organisations in the Green Street, East Ham, Manor Park, and Little Ilford areas. The second round of commissions was for Custom House, Beckton, and Royal Albert/North Woolwich. The third round offered micro-commissions of up to £3,000 to projects in all of the areas listed above.
Follow Culture Within Newham on Instagram and Facebook, or sign up to our email newsletter to find out more.
Round One
These project were chosen during Round One of our Micro-Commissioning scheme. All of these projects are based in Green Street, East Ham, Manor Park, or Little Ilford.
Skills Share, ESOL Conversation Café - The Renewal Programme
Skills Share, English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) Conversation Café is an 8-week programme where attendees can showcase their skills - from henna design to music - while practicing English in a friendly, social setting. The events will focus on creative demonstrations and provide a space where the community can connect over refreshments, and build confidence in a fun, supportive environment.
The Well Community Writing Group - Luan Goldie
The Well Community Writing Group is a monthly space where Newham residents are invited to drop in and express themselves through creative writing.
The group is currently working towards producing a printed anthology of their work. This will happen in the Spring and be launched with a celebratory showcase, where the writers can share their work with friends, families and members of the local community in East Ham and Newham.
Newham Poetry Prize - Be Manzini
The Newham Poetry Prize is a newly established competition for those who live, study or work in Newham. Encouraging aspiring and seasoned writers alike to submit a single authored poem that references the borough. Judges include award-winning writers Courttia Newland and Newham Poetry Prize founder Be Manzini who are passionate about encouraging more writing activity in their local borough and beyond.
Clay Connections - Community Clay Newham
Clay Connections is a series of mindful pottery painting workshops designed to bring people together and combat isolation. The project will culminate in a celebration event where attendees receive their beautifully glazed pieces—tangible reminders of both their creativity and the connections they’ve made.
Art in the Park - Custom House Bookshop
Custom House Bookshop is hosting four events over the Easter Holidays in Central Park, East Ham. Participants will be invited to ‘Read’ four trees along the Central Park Tree Trail and then guided in a creative making session of drawing, creating face masks, or collage.
Voices from the Garden - Rainbow Community Garden
This micro-commission will enable The Rainbow Community Garden to create lasting memories from their Festival of Stories workshops (initially run back in November 2024). Written stories, sound files, photos and drawings collected from local people telling their stories are to be shared with the wider community and beyond on a website and accessible via QR codes within the garden.
Round Two
These projects were chosen during Round Two of our Micro-Commissioning scheme. All of these projects are based in Custom House, Beckton, and Royal Albert/North Woolwich.
Flying Fish - Art in the Docks
The return of the Flying Fish at Royal Albert Wharf saw artist-led local enterprise Art in the Docks bring parents and children from their local community together at their Saturday Kids Club to make, customise and embellish a new set of Flying Fish which were then hung over the water in the wharf for all to enjoy.
Sound Waves: Seen & Heard - Rendezvous Projects
'Sound Waves: Seen & Heard' is a youth-led photography and zine-making project developed by Rendezvous Projects in partnership with Beckton Globe Youth Zone. The project forms part of the wider 'Sound Waves: Music in Newham' programme, which explores 60 years of music history in the borough.
Sticker Design & Making - Doodling Around
‘Sticker Design & Making’ gives young people the chance to make artworks that they can wear and take home. Participants can explore sing vinyls, collage and line-work, participants can explore art and their sense of style with local artist Matt Ponting from Doodling Around.
Crafted Futures - Community Clay Newham
Crafted Futures is a project by Community Clay Newham that aims to offer local residents the chance to upskill and engage with creative enterprise through the art of ceramics.
The project will recruit a small, committed group of local participants who will learn a wide range of transferable skills.
Round Three
These projects were chosen during Round Three of our Micro-Commissioning scheme. All of these projects are based in Green Street, East Ham, Manor Park, Little Ilford, Custom House, Beckton, or Royal Albert/North Woolwich. The commission available was increased to £3,000.
Keep an eye on the Culture Within Newham website for the remaining project announcements.
Hacky Racers - CoCreate+
Hacky Racers is a series of Hackathon-style events that blend puppetry, animatronics, and semi-autonomous rovers. Hacky Racers is for young people aged 12-18 years old. The programme will consist of a one-day intensive workshop on 22 November 2025, supported by three 1.5-hour online evening sessions.
Book a place on the workshop, or learn more about Hacky Racers.
Growing Pains - Nalini Theatre Company & Fathima Abdullah
Growing Pains is a coming-of-age play - written by Fathima Abdullah and produced by Nalini Theatre company - which follows the journey of 17-year-old Khadija as she moves out of her home for the first time.
Alone at university, Khadija faces freedom versus faith — caught between a new world and fear of losing where she’s from.
Through Your Eyes
‘Through Your Eyes’ is a series of guided photo walks where Newham residents will be invited to use smartphones or cameras to explore and document their neighbourhood.
In the photography workshops participants will reflect on creative prompts, and share and reflect on their images together in a supportive and accessible environment. The goal is to build confidence in both technical skills and creative expression.
Sign Me Up Podcast
Sign Me Up Podcast’ is a groundbreaking, inclusive, sit-down interview-style podcast hosted by a Deaf presenter, accompanied by a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter. Each episode features a well-known celebrity or influencer to explore deafness, community connection, and BSL learning. With honest conversation and a signature ‘Sign-Off’ segment - where guests sign what they’ve learned - the podcast blends education, entertainment, and advocacy.
TheGallery
TheGallery produced by TAPES is a community social event with artists workshops, party games, food, and drinks. The local community are invited to practice their craft and familiarise themselves with the historic Tate Institute building and its mission. TheGallery was commissioned as one of Culture Within Newham’s Micro-Commissions for Newham.
Locals aged 15-22 are invited for free workshops and a party to mark the opening of REinsTate. During the event, attendees can socialise and connect at the newly refurbished community centre which will provide a space for aspiring artists of all forms to practice their craft for free.
Other projects you might be interested in
