The work of the Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm

The Commission's role is to enrich and add to the current public realm and advise on better ways to raise public understanding behind existing statues, street names, building names and memorials. It is committed to building an accessible programme which is sensitive to the beliefs, views and opinions of all Londoners, helping people have a better understanding of London’s diverse histories.

It’s ambition is that by 2023 there will more objects in the public realm that tell a wider, diverse and more representative story of London. As a consequence, Londoners will have a better understanding of London’s diverse histories. Diverse communities will better understand how they can impact the public realm and visitors will have a better sense of what London represents. London Boroughs will be more aligned and activated in diversifying the public realm, which will build capacity for best practice to continue after the Commission ends.

• The commission will review what currently makes up London’s public realm, discuss what legacies should be celebrated, and make a series of recommendations that will help to establish best practice.
• It will focus on increasing representation among Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, women, LGTBQ+ and disabled groups, as well as those from a range of social and economic backgrounds.
• It will work alongside a Borough Working Group of local councils, and a Partners Board, including ActionSpace, Art Fund, English Heritage and Shape Arts, Arts Council England, Black Cultural Archives, Historic England and Iniva (Institute of International Visual Arts).
• The Commission is not being established to preside over the removal of statues.

The Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm will work with a Partners Board of statutory bodies such as English Heritage and the Arts Council and a London Borough Working Group to review the capital's public realm, further the discussion into what legacies should be celebrated and create best practice on commissioning works, for example, how to assess, evaluate and approach contested heritage. It will work with transparency and openness , supporting Londoners to enrich the city with projects with long-term legacy.

Borough Working Group

The Borough Working Group is an opportunity for borough councils to provide views from across the capital. Get in touch with your council to find out more about their involvement.

The Partners Board

The Partners Board was established to provide further knowledge and advice to the Commission.

The organisations involved are:

1. ActionSpace
2. Art Fund
3. Arts Council England
4. Black Cultural Archives
5. English Heritage
6. Historic England
7. Museum of London
8. National Heritage Lottery Fund
9. Proud Places
10. Paradigm Network
11. Queer Britain
12. Iniva (Institute of International Visual Arts)
13. Shape Arts
14. Foundation for Jewish Heritage