It's fair to say, this has been a year like no other in terms of how we have experienced, and didn't experience, our world famous arts and culture in London.
However, there has still been some incredible cultural moments of inspiration, reassurance and creativity that we wanted to share with you.
We hope it remind us all that we shouldn't take these things for granted and also, to look forward to that day soon when we can all get together enjoy the arts, culture and recreation how we want to.
Listen to our Culture team 2020 playlist
Share your 2020 London culture highlights with #MylocalCulture
What were your favourite cultural moments of the year? Let us know @LDN_Culture and tag #myLondonculture2020
Brent Biennial
As much as I enjoyed the Brent Locked In video series and VENT podcasts – brilliant content from the Blueprint Collective and Brent 2020 team; having the chance to actually BE in Brent and see gorgeous new public art in the libraries and on the streets for FREE, was my highlight of the year.
Some of the artworks are permanent, so when you can and it’s safe, put some tunes on – go see them and have a little dance around!
By Angie Farrance, London Borough of Culture Coordinator
(By) Royal Appointment
In a year that’s been devastating for London’s night time and culture sector, it was great to have the heir to the throne visit Soho to help raise the plight of venues and workers. We’re all looking forward to getting back to live performance fully in 2021 and we’ll be continuing to support these venues to make sure we can.
By Tim Spires, Senior Policy Officer - Cultural Education and Music
From Kraftwerk to The Chemical Brothers show at the Design Museum
This immersive experience was so uplifting and energising – I danced through the whole exhibition – it was a visual and aural feast of music, light and iconic history.
By Jacqueline Rose, Senior Manager, Programmes and Strategy
Heather Phillipson’s The End
It wasn’t THE END, it was the beginning. After a short delay Londoner Heather Phillipson’s new commission for the Fourth Plinth was unveiled on a sunny July day. A resplendent swirl of cream, topped by a cherry, hides a sinister side to the work. Even if you can’t visit Trafalgar Square at the moment, you can still log on to the dedicated website theend.today and get a pigeon’s eye view of the square!
By Jo Baxendale - Senior Policy Officer, Visual Arts and Public Realm
I May Destroy You
East Londoner Michaela Coel’s tour de force created one of the most challenging, funny and thought-provoking TV moments of the decade, let alone 2020.
By Mike Clewley, Senior Communications and Engagement Officer
Idiot Prayer: Nick Cave Alone at Alexandra Palace
Amongst a myriad of online cultural offerings, Cave’s intimate and mesmerising live stream delve through his rich back catalogue stood out as an extravagantly creative ‘two fingers’ response to the restrictions of the pandemic. Filmed in the vast, ghostly expanse of a deserted Alexandra Palace as the sun went down over the city beyond, this eerie performance teetered between virtuoso concerto and religious sermon, occupying a lush and almost otherworldly hinterland that deployed Cave’s commanding presence to transfixing effect.
By Jess Mahoney - Senior Policy Officer, Creative Enterprise Zones
John Grant at Roundhouse
A stunning, intimate performance of his emotive music – this started my year off nicely, not knowing what was to come. His collaboration with the Roundhouse Choir of young people was spectacular.
By Will Holmes, Senior Cultural Policy Officer
Little Angel Theatre – Online Shows and Activities
I love puppets. I think the Little Angel Theatre is wonderful. With its doors shut due to COVID-19, it was great to watch their fabulous videos and get creative with my daughter with some of their craft activities.
By Anne Hartley, Culture Seeds Co-ordinator
The Migration Museum
Stories of migration are personal and so powerful. Encountering this museum in 'super buzzing’ Lewisham shopping centre as it goes about its business highlighted the richness of experiences that continues to shape our lives.
By Shipra Ogra, Senior Policy Officer, London Borough of Culture
Our Bodies Back at Sadler's Wells
I saw this at Breakin/Convention at Sadler's Wells, a couple of weeks after it had re-opened and only days before it has had to close again. Jonzi D directs Axelle ‘Ebony’ Munezero in Montréal, Canada; Bolegue Manuela (b-girl Manuela) in Hanover, Germany; and Nafisah Baba in London dancing to American poet and performance artist Jessica Care Moore’s spoken word poem in a celebration of Black women’s voices.
By Kirsten Dunne - Senior Manager, Cultural Infrastructure and Public Realm
Small Axe pentalogy
One of my TV highlights of the year if only because of the chatter it generated on my Caribbean family WhatsApp Groups. All 5 parts of Steve McQueen’s revealing films about the black experience in the UK are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
By Jezreel James, Policy and Projects Officer, Culture Strategy
Steve McQueen Year 3 Exhibition at Tate Britain
Such a treat to experience the excitement of 60 children from Hambrough School in Southall see themselves in a photo at Tate Britain. For many it was their first visit to a gallery and they loved it, exploring other galleries and were amazed by the Henry Moores. So glad I used my role as a school governor to persuade the school to take part.
By Jackie McNerney, Senior Manager, World Cities and Operations
Theatre Royal Stratford East and the Royal Docks - 846 Live
The first show I saw after the summer lockdown and I was SO EXCITED to see something live. And 846 Live delivered, powerfully weaving together stories of Black and Asian responses to George Floyd’s brutal murder. The outdoor staging among the houses and tower blocks of Silvertown made it resonate all the more deeply.
By Sagar Shah – London Borough of Culture Coordinator
VENT podcasts
2020 has been a big year for podcasts! Brent 2020’s Blueprint teamed up with VICE to bring us great conversations and investigations. Using young Londoner's questions and challenges as a starting point, the podcast introduced me to things I’d never known about London and its people. It won Audio Production Awards Grassroots’ Production Silver.
By Clara Giraud, London Borough of Culture Project Officer