Arts & Culture
A cultural community for Nine Elms
Welcome to Wandsworth - Borough of Culture 2025
Wandsworth has been chosen as the Mayor of London’s Borough of Culture for 2025, bringing an exciting year of arts and cultural events to Battersea and beyond. Starting in April 2025, the festival will include local organisations and creatives, aiming to boost culture, health, happiness, and equality in the community. Our very own Nine Elms cultural anchors Chocolate Films, World Heart Beat and Matt’s Gallery will be contributing key moments to this vibrant cultural programme.
With a wide range of free events planned, from a mass dance event to a grand choral performance, Wandsworth will become a hub for creativity. The year will see a variety of cultural experiences, from the Wandsworth Arts Fringe (6-22 June) to community-driven arts projects, designed to make culture more accessible to all, whether through artistic performances or immersive local experiences.
Wandsworth Borough is receiving over £1m funding from the Mayor’s office to help support the initiative. The funding will enable the local arts and culture events to take place by providing grants and resources for local creatives. The community of culture-makers in the area will decide upon the programme without curatorial oversight or judgement.
The themes of the year will focus on inclusivity, collaboration, and well-being, with a particular emphasis on ensuring that culture is for everyone. The people of Wandsworth will be at the heart of the programme, and many events will be designed to bring different communities together. Expect numerous opportunities for local involvement, from volunteering to creating art, allowing residents to play an active role in shaping the cultural landscape of their borough. Expect pop-up workshops, neighbourhood festivals, and even the chance to collaborate on large-scale projects.
Nine Elms Arts Ministry
Our partnership project Nine Elms Arts Ministry is an arts community which has been working in Battersea and Nine Elms since 2018. The community is led by Revd Betsy Blatchley, Pioneer Minister in the Arts in Nine Elms, and is supported by the Anglican Diocese of Southwark. It brings together creatives, businesses and residents in Nine Elms through arts events and initiatives with a focus around wellbeing, spirituality, and social justice.