Black History 365
Black History Month is celebrated across October in the UK, but we think African and Caribbean history, culture and heritage should be celebrated all year round, so, in addition to extensive programme of events in October, we're launching Black History 365 for our third year.
Black History Month is celebrated across October in the UK, but we think African and Caribbean history, culture and heritage should be celebrated all year round, so, in addition to extensive programme of events in October, we're launching Black History 365 for our third year.
In March 2024 Wandsworth Council was awarded the title of London Borough of Culture by the Mayor of London. Our vision for London Borough of Culture is to harness the power of culture to transform our residents’ lives in terms of health, happiness and equality of opportunity. Black History 365 celebrations will form a key part of Wandsworth’s year as London Borough of Culture 2025.
Apply by 5pm, Wed 12 March.
Aims and objectives
We will be sharing the stories and experiences of people of African or Caribbean heritage who live, work or study in the borough to recognise the outstanding contribution that people of the African diaspora have made in shaping our borough. We want:
- Artists of African and Caribbean heritage and/or Black-led organisations to contribute to the cultural agenda of the borough;
- Residents of African and Caribbean heritage to engage in cultural activity that is meaningful and relevant to them;
- The wider community to better understand the histories of fellow residents, colleagues and students making a positive difference in Wandsworth, and be inspired by them.
Projects should also link to the LBOC programme five key themes, harnessing the power of culture to:
- CONNECT: Connect people to life-changing experiences – opening the doors to creative jobs, discovering heritage and meeting people where they are, so that we can fall in love with arts and culture.
- UNITE: Unite, because we are better together, united by or aspiration to imagine a brighter future for people, communities and our borough.
- HEAL: Because building arts and culture into healthcare helps us thrive. By approaching wellbeing holistically, culture can support people body and soul, to live better.
- NOURISH: Creating the conditions for young people to express their creativity and be part of their communities.
- ACTIVATE: Inspiring people through culture to take real steps to reduce pollution and their carbon footprint; reconnecting people with sustainable living and the natural environment.
Commissioning fee and timeframe
We are seeking proposals from organisations that can deliver community focused, cultural, arts, and heritage-based activities and events. We are able to offer commission fees of between £500 and £2,000 (excluding VAT) to support the development of content or programming for Black History 365 between May 2025 to June 2026.
Meet The Funder and Q & A Session
Find out more about the Black History 365 grant process and guidelines. Bring along any application questions you have!
Tue 11 Feb, 10am - 11.30am & Tue 4 Mar, 6pm - 7.30pm.
Key Criteria
Priority will be given to proposals which demonstrate the following:
- Close alignment with African or Caribbean history, culture and heritage
- A strong focus on arts, culture and heritage
- Delivery by an organisation whose strategic plans involve engaging with the borough and its residents over the mid to long term
- Live events must take place within the borough
- All projects must have participatory elements and demonstrate targeting and engagement with Wandsworth communities
- Clear benefits to the local community e.g. through participation, enjoyment, skills development, health and wellbeing improvements, learning, progression routes etc, and how you will demonstrate this
- Value for money
- Target beneficiaries - making specific reference to your target beneficiaries and specify the methods you will use to reach them and how you will measure their engagement.
Guidelines
When considering whether to submit a proposal or not, please take into consideration the following:
1. Permissions for publicity
All Black History 365 projects must credit Wandsworth Council and Welcome To Wandsworth London Borough of Culture on their marketing, media and PR content. Selected projects must commit to share their copy, logo and a selection of high-quality images with the Council at least 6 weeks prior to all events taking place so that they can be included in the Council’s publicity campaigns. Where there is digital activity, the Council will reserve the right to have digital content links available on wandsworth.gov.uk, welcometowandsworth.com and all its social media channels.
2. Accessibility
How will you promote your event to make sure it reaches the whole community?
How will people attend your event (e.g. is the venue accessible? is it easy to get to? etc.). Please consider that live and online events will have different requirements around accessibility.
Have you considered what may be barriers to engagement, and how will you address them?
3. Event permissions
Please ensure that you have all necessary permissions, venues and licences for your event to go ahead.
Application deadline
Please submit the form below by 5pm, Wed 12 March. If you have any queries about the grants process please email us at arts@wandsworth.gov.uk. A word document version of this application form is also available on request please just send us an email.
Please note, the Council will notify all organisations who have submitted a proposal to let them know whether they have been successful or not w/c 14 April.
