Happy Streets is a free indoor and outdoor, multi-artform festival aimed at people living and working in Nine Elms to promote happiness and wellbeing. Commissioned by Wandsworth Council and produced by Swans Events, the festival presents a varied programme of high-quality performances and creative opportunities, as well as signposting residents and visitors to local initiatives that support happiness and wellbeing.
We are seeking applications from artists, community groups and local organisations to help develop the 2025 festival programme. We are seeking proposals for activities, events and performances that explore at least one of the following themes: wellbeing, creativity, community, sustainability, nature.
If you have a ready-made act or a brand-new idea that meets the festival's aims, we would love to hear from you! We will prioritise local artists and organisations. We are open to all artforms and proposals, which might include but aren't limited to: music, dance, theatre, circus, visual arts, street theatre, trails, walkabout acts, sports activities, games, workshops, talks, Q&As, arts & crafts.
Festival Aims
- Provide high quality and accessible live performance and participation activities for people who live, work, or go to school in Nine Elms.
- Focus on happiness and wellbeing – including signposting attendees to activities and resources that support individual and community wellbeing in the longer term, especially social prescribing work on offer.
- Help develop Nine Elms as a vibrant cultural destination and support the local creative community.
- To ensure the festival is accessible to as many people as possible.
- Celebrate Wandsworth London Borough of Culture 2025
Where and When?
Saturday 5th July 2025, 12pm - 6pm - St George's CofE School SW8 4JS, ROSE Community Clubroom & immediate surrounding areas, plus potentially a small road closure on Thessaly Road between the school and ROSE. Target Audience: People of all ages, but mainly families and children.
Sunday 6th July 2025, 12pm - 5pm - Oasis Green Space, next to Yvonne Carr Centre SW8 4HT. This will be a smaller scale event, think giant picnic vibes! Target Audience: Still families, but we are keen include more activities for adults, young adults & teenagers on the Sunday.
Budget
Our budget for Happy Streets varies depending on the scale of each act or activity, with an average fee ranging from £50 to £800. When submitting a budget proposal, please provide a detailed breakdown of all creative fees, materials, and expenses. If your proposal exceeds £800, we still encourage you to apply.
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be selected by the Swans Events team along with our Happy Streets Festival working group taking into account:
- How the proposal fits with the overall programme, aims and themes
- Quality of your proposal
- Experience in delivering similar types of activities Value for money
Submission deadline: Friday 11th April 12pm. We will be in touch to let you know the outcome as soon as possible. Complete the below form to apply If you have any questions, or have issues accessing the form, please email hello@swansevents.co.uk.
https://forms.gle/nA2dfDbCqzV6ZzxS8