Equity calls on Newham Council to save Applecart Arts
Equity members and activists outside Newham Council
Last night Equity and Applecart Arts took the campaign to Save Applecart Arts to Newham Council. The community performance space is an important source of freelance work for Equity members but is facing immediate cashflow issues due to funding cuts, with the doors likely to be closed before Christmas if action is not taken.
Equity sent a deputation of Newham residents to a full meeting of Newham Council to talk about the impact Applecart’s closure would have on the borough and to ask the council for an urgent investment of £100k. This would allow Applecart to continue its work in the community and support growth in the borough’s cultural sector.
Our deputation told the council about the £1.2m Applecart has injected into the community over the past two years, the impact this loss of arts provision would have on young people in the borough, and the huge savings the council has made thanks to Applecart’s renovation and residence in the Passmore Edward’s Library. Applecart calculate the council has saved £450k in 24-hour security alone in the past three years. If Applecart were to close, they estimate that the ongoing cost to the local authority would be greater than the funding asked for to secure its future.
Newham resident and Equity representative Stephanie Soh read a statement from Peter Morton, artistic director of Applecart Arts, in which he said (extract):
“Applecart Arts formed as a charity in 2011 with the aim of providing professional pathways into the creative industries. Over the last 13 years it has grown into a charity that provides a significant impact not only on Newham’s creative landscape but also offering an important cultural venue for emerging artists across the country…During the launch of Newham’s London Borough of culture bid, the mayor stated 'I want Newham to be at the forefront of culture across London and beyond, creating lasting change and benefits that will be felt by all our residents as well as making Newham a destination and home for the very best cultural and creative organisations'. I wonder how the local authority think that this desire could come into fruition if it doesn't begin supporting or at least talking to the grassroots organisations that might bring it about?”
