Islington is bidding to become London Borough of Culture 2019 – but it needs your ideas about how to use the prize cash

Vincenza Dato, who wants to hold more workshops after running some for people with learning needs. Picture: Islington Council (Image: Archant)

Town hall bosses already know what makes Islington great, but part of the bid for the London Borough of Culture 2019 is an idea of how they’d use the cash.

That means they want artists, musicians, designers and craftspeople to suggest ways more people could benefit from their work. That could mean teaching new skills to hard-to-reach people, running workshops, or making things to help people.

The ideas don’t need to have loads of detail, the town hall says.

Culture chiefs want to hear from people like Vincenza Dato, who makes jewellery, clothes and crafts. She helped create a sensory room in a house for women with learning difficulties, and wants to hold more workshops.

“The response from the people I’ve worked with has been incredible,” said Vincenza. “It was really lovely to be part of that.”

Composer and sound artist Jo Thomas said: “Islington is great for a creative person. I’ve really benefited from living there.

“On my housing estate I’ve seen the benefit of improved access to the arts but there is still more to be done, so residents should get involved with Islington’s London Borough of Culture bid.”

Islington Council’s community development boss Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz said: “We would very much like to hear from everyone who has a creative idea to develop. Local residents, artists, venues and community organisations will all have valuable insights on how to use culture to make Islington a fairer place.”

Go to islington.gov.uk/create by midday on November 10 to share your ideas.