Free London Listings

No round up this week, it's Carnival Weekend, what else do ya want?

Normal service will be resumed next week.

London's independent art spaces are closing down at a worrying rate, and Peckham's Area10 could be the latest victim. Over just two weeks following the closure of The Foundry, Shunt, and Barden's Boudoir, Southwark Council is now threatening Area10 with closure. The Save Area10 Campaign attempts to start a creative protest, calling to arms all South London artists to stop Southwark Council's plans to close the much loved arts organisation.

Area10 has specialised in bring ambitious and worthwhile events and projects based in Fine Arts, Performative Arts, Circus, and Theatre for the last eight years, and is the bed-rock of South East London's artistic community. It has attracted 35,000 visitors, hosted over 4000 artists and enabled many projects to apply for funding and grants, estimated close to £1m. It is a foundation that supports the immerging market of art galleries in this corner of South East London as well as London?s art schools who regularly exhibit there.

"With the help of these young artists Peckham is pulling itself up by the bootstraps please do not knock it on the head and force it back into the A downtrodden and pitiful place. Area 10 is a vital part of the transformation of Peckham from disadvantaged ghetto to the creative engine of a re-imagined London. The offering of a facility that allows a wide range of artistic expression within a socially embedded space is a great catalyst for transformation and Peckham is becoming well known as a place of art and artists." - Anthony Gormley

The Area 10 Campaign

The council are attempting to close Area10 with only two weeks notice and no clear plan as to whom the site will be sold to, or how it will be developed. What we do know, is that this seemingly irresponsible plan will leave the cash strapped council with a liability of up to £80,000 per year for 24 hour security, something with is currently provided free of charge by Area10's members.

Area10 has a solid plan for growth and the ability to raise the funds and draw in the investment required to improve the site's buildings, in turn this will give Area10 the opportunity to create better studios, programme frequent exhibitions, events and increase community involvement.

The petition

The petition is being signed at furious rate at http://www.savearea10.org/ and is set to reach 2000 names and testimonials by the end of the week. Each testimonial is a credit to Area10's great reputation and the respect it has from its community.

(from London indymedia)