Insights into the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture programme: interview with Deptford X’s director, Nathalie Boobis
London Borough of Culture is a supportive framework for arts organisations to increase the accessibility and reach of their programmes.
Deptford X, London’s longest-running visual arts festival, has developed a sense of identity and pride in Lewisham’s cultural heritage, by investing in projects, individuals, and communities since 1998.
We spoke to Nathalie Boobis to find out how We Are Lewisham, London Borough of Culture 2022, enabled Deptford X to increase inclusive programming. More specifically, as part of Liberty, the Mayor of London’s flagship festival platforming disabled artists.
Since you've begun, the vision of Deptford X festival is to hold space and advocate for creativity and artistic experimentation within the local community. Could you tell me about how your programming reflects your audiences?
We've always been about sharing art in the public realm. Last year was really exciting as we partnered with the Mayor’s Liberty festival.
Liberty is a free festival for D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists which forms part of London Borough of Culture.
Working with Linda Rocco, the curator of Liberty Festival 2022, we built a youth panel for an exhibition at Lewisham Art House. We are currently handing over the project direction to D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists.
Liberty provided an opportunity to meet and incorporate young artists from the youth panel into our work as young advisors, increasing the accessibility and reach of our organisation. We really want to democratise our programming to ensure our work is reflective and inclusive of our community, and this was made possible in 2022 through being a part of London Borough of Culture.
Deptford X’s festival runs yearly within the borough and is centred around bringing art into informal contexts and making a positive contribution within Deptford. Could you tell me a little about last year’s parade?
The parade is a longstanding part of our festival. However, as a result of additional funding from London Borough of Culture in 2022, we were able to reach schools and families outside of Deptford and build more institutional partnerships within Lewisham.
Working in collaboration with Discover Lewisham, we developed a series of workshops for children and young adults and arts events which focused on engagement in the south of the borough, where there is considerably less cultural activity.
The support of London Borough of Culture also helped us leverage more funding from the Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund for an exhibition with the Migration Museum. ‘Celebrating Community’ was displayed in Lewisham Shopping Centre and showcased the Deptford X’s Parade - ‘The Earth is a Beehive’ by Jelili Atiku - displaying costumes and a short documentary. It allowed us to reflect on and celebrate our local community's heritage and history.
How was the 2022 festival received, and what is the legacy now that the festival has ended?
It was a really positive programme. Jareh Das, the curator, did an amazing job in choosing really exciting artists who wove their work into the fabric of the area.
Amongst many others, she commissioned an artist called Ibiye Camp, who worked with dyed textiles with kola nuts from Deptford High Street to create her exhibition, ‘Mosh Iria’. Ibiye analysed the economy of trade and how the culture is serving the diaspora at its source, and that became part of the work. The fabric and the materials were all sourced locally. Her work was displayed in Sharon's Grocery Food Store, where she bought the kola nut and Rose's African fabric shop. Buying and producing locally and reflecting on the process of displaying within that environment is really important for Deptford.
Jareh put work into the festival which spoke to the people who live here and made them feel seen. Our lasting legacy that resonates in communities is fostered through the people involved within the sites we use.
What’s the best way to encourage collaborative cultural programming across the borough and in other boroughs?
High quality, accessible work in our neighbourhoods is crucial. Art has provided our community with joy and connection. It’s important for Deptford X that we empower and equip the next generation to support us in designing our programming; giving a voice to individuals who aren't always given space. These voices become more vital as funding decreases. It's crucial that we show young people the importance of being able to express themselves freely. Initiatives like London Borough of Culture allows us to realise our ambitions and increase our accessibility across our borough and beyond.
Liberty is delivered as part of London Borough of Culture.
The Mayor’s London Borough of Culture programme is open for councils to bid to be the next to hold the Title Award. Find out more
Photo credit: Ibiye Camp, Mosh Iria, Deptford X 2022. Photo by Nelta Kasparian