Whether we are converting a disused, run down nightclub into a bustling community-led venue, installing bold, large-scale murals throughout the high street or transforming vacant units into animated, culture led spaces, Things Made Public work alongside communities to deliver creative, dynamic and relevant programmes which seek to address social and economic issues. Founded on the dream of bringing culture to our hometown rather than escaping to the bright lights of the city, we learnt first hand what it takes to build a cultural offer from the ground up. Inspired by our own personal experiences, Things Made Public grew out of a friendship of two young Romford women, to become an organisation that specialises in targeting communities who have the least access to culture in England. We work with ‘hard to reach’ communities, or as some say, ‘easy to ignore’ communities, spanning areas including Havering, Thurrock, Redbridge, London, Essex and North Devon. Today, over a decade after inception, we are guided by the place in which we work and the people with whom we work. As a result our work takes multiple forms; not only do we commission public art, but we also deliver public events, run cultural venues and produce greening projects. Not only do we work ‘on the ground’, but we also produce cultural strategies and frameworks across the country. We ensure that our delivery background and deep commitment to community voice shines through in our strategic work and view it as great opportunity to embed accessible culture at a foundational level in planning, development and policy.
