A £500,000 Place Partnership grant, funded by the National Lottery, has been awarded to support Enfield of Dreams—an ambitious two-year arts and culture programme designed to empower young people to help reshape Enfield’s cultural identity.
The investment represents a significant step in strengthening Enfield’s status as a Priority Place. Although the borough has historically had limited cultural resources, it is home to a wealth of creative potential. Through skills training, co-created programming, and community storytelling, Enfield of Dreams will give young residents the opportunity to lead and influence the borough’s cultural development.
The initiative is led by UP Projects, an award-winning public arts organisation and long-standing National Portfolio Organisation. Delivered in partnership with Enfield Council and match-funded by LocalMotion, the programme gathers a wide network of artists, cultural partners, and community organisations. It will play a key role in shaping the next Enfield Culture Strategy, due to launch in 2028.
Emma Underhill, Artistic Director of UP Projects, said:
“This initiative builds on more than two decades of our work in artist-led, community-focused practice. Engaging children and young people is central to what we do. We’re excited to elevate youth voices across Enfield and collaborate with local artists and partners to place young people at the core of the borough’s cultural future.”
Enfield Council will offer access to a range of council-run venues, parks, and public spaces, with cross-departmental support from planning, education, and community services. In collaboration with Enfield’s youth communities, partners will co-design Young Cultural Leaders, a skills development programme providing young people with the training and confidence to become future cultural leaders.
Participants will work with a vibrant network of artists and creative organisations, including:
-
Border Crossings
-
Chickenshed Theatre
-
FaceFront Inclusive Theatre
-
HighRise Entertainment
-
Platinum Performing Arts
These groups will deliver bold public-realm projects celebrating Enfield’s diversity, amplifying youth perspectives, and building a lasting cultural legacy. A multi-year development pathway will further support young people into leadership roles within the cultural sector, including positions in organisations and on governing boards.
Michelle Walker, London Area Director at Arts Council England, said:
“We’re thrilled to support this multi-year project. Its focus on co-creation and training—working closely with local schools and creative organisations—aligns strongly with our Let’s Create strategy and our Priority Place programme in London.”
Enfield of Dreams will reach thousands of secondary school students through an extensive creative learning programme and engage tens of thousands of residents through public cultural events. The initiative aims to strengthen community ties, widen access to the arts, and build long-term cultural infrastructure in the borough.
With 27% of Enfield’s population under 20, the borough has one of the youngest demographics in the country. By placing young people at the heart of this programme, Enfield of Dreams seeks to nurture the next generation of cultural leaders and contribute to a more inclusive, vibrant, and sustainable cultural future for Enfield.
