Creative Spaces Symposium  

We are thrilled to be hosting our first symposium with the topic of Creative Spaces on
Thursday 16th October 2025 at The Lab E20, Stratford (E20 1JB). 

This one-day symposium will explore what makes creative spaces truly inclusive and sustainable, addressing the shortage of such spaces in East London. Together, we’ll discuss safer spaces, the potential of heritage buildings, and how creative places can support local communities by drawing on local culture, skills, and resources. 

We’ll also examine the key ingredients for success: adequate infrastructure, strong partnerships, accessible resources, and strategies that ensure long-term, fair opportunities for all. 

📩 For questions, please contact e.denton@uel.ac.uk 

Save Your Spot

Key Details 

Date

16th October 2025

Time

9:30am – 5:00pm

Location

The Lab E20, Stratford, E20 1JB  

Meet all our Speakers and Contributors

  • Jo Townshend (She/Her)

    Chair and Director, CVAN London

  • Hugh McEwen

    Director, Office S&M Architects

  • Yves Blais (He/Him)

    Operations Director, Creative Land Trust

  • James Kaguima Founder

    Skate Cabal

  • Sanaz Amidi

    Chair, Creative Newham

  • Yasmin Jones-Henry

    Co-founder & Curator, The Lab E20

  • Sarah Nelson (She/Her)

    CEO, Foundation for Future London

  • Jack Fortescue

    Property Development Acme Artists’ Studios Ltd

  • Tia Hassan

    Creative Director & CEO East London Dance

  • Gee Sinha

    Founder, Project Manager & Director ReSpace

  • Judith Garfield MBE Executive Director

    Executive Director at Eastside Community Heritage 

  • Rupesh Varsani

    Development Director Berkeley Group plc

  • Rose Sinclair MBE

    Project Advisory Board member, curator, artists and academic

  • Professor Matthew Bellgard

    Pro Vice-Chancellor, Impact & Innovation, UEL

  • Sam Ikhuoria

    Cultural Producer, and Alumni of NPP Cultural Producers programme

  • Shazia Hussain

    CEO, London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC)

  • Alice Devitt

    Director of Fundraising and Development, Foundation for Future London

  • Esther Baker

    Head of Youth Empowerment Services, Newham Council

  • Juma Harding -Dimmock

    Head of Engagement, The Line, and member of Creative Newham’s Project Advisory Board for the Newham Place Partnership Programme

  • Alison Lowe MBE

    Creative Entrepreneur in Residence and Director of Careers and Enterprise - The School of Arts and Creative Industries & Creative Futures lead

  • Jessie Brennan

    Research-led Artist exploring inter-relations between people and places 

  • Richard Parish

    Historic Places Adviser Historic England

  • Joyce Ogunde

    Interim Head of Inclusive Economy Strategy and Programmes at the London Borough of Newham

  • Stevan Tennant

    Developments Director, Ballymore

  • Jordan Williams

    Founder of Adversatile Artists and member of Creative Newham’s Project Advisory Board for the Newham Place Partnership Programme

  • Emma Wilcox

    Emma Wilcox, EW Associates and Chair for Creative Newham’s Project Advisory Board for the Newham Place Partnership Programme

Programme Highlights

‘Creative Spaces’ will consider what authentic and inclusive creative spaces look like. The symposium will highlight the infrastructure, partnerships, resources, and strategies required for sustainable, co-designed, and equitable outcomes. 

RSVP

    • 9:30 – 10:00 | Arrivals, Registration, Light Refreshments and Networking

    • 10:00 – 10:15 | Welcome & Framing – Sanaz Amidi, Chair, Creative Newham

    • 10:15 – 10:35 | Opening Provocations – Rose Sinclair MBE, Professor Matthew Bellgard, Sam Ikhuoria, Cultural Producer.

    • 10:35-10:40 | Reflections

    • 10:40 – 11:00 | Keynote – Shazia Hussain, CEO, LLDC

    • 11:15 – 12:15 | Panel 1 – Beyond Affordability: Co-Designing Truly Sustainable Creative Spaces

    • 12:15 – 1:15 | Panel 2 – New Models of Partnership for Inclusive Creative Spaces 

    • 1:15 – 2:00 | Lunch & Networking 

    • 2:00 – 3:00 | Panel 3 – Heritage Buildings: Challenges & Opportunities for Creative Use 

    • 3:00 – 3:40 | Breakout Discussion 1 – Defining Safe Creative Spaces 

    • 4:00 – 4:40 | Breakout Discussion 2 – Creative Spaces & Newham’s Cultural Character 

    • 4:40 – 5:00 | Plenary & Next Steps – Towards a Creative Spaces Charter 

    • 5:00 | Close