Welcome to HACKNEY.GOV.UK

Children of all ages can take on a series of exciting challenges this summer as part of the Great Hackney Libraries Quest.The carnival-themed challenge, in celebration of the return of Hackney Carnival this September, runs from 20 July to 15 September, and will award participants with stamps for:Taking part in fun activities at Hackney Libraries, Hackney Museum and Hackney ArchivesReading booksUsing a computer for researchDesigning a book coverWriting a book reviewReading to library staffPlayers will receive bronze, silver or gold certificates and badges depending on the number of stamps collected, and be entered into a prize draw to win book tokens.Entrants can collect their free stamper booklet, illustrated by local illustrator Sion Ap Tomos, and sign up to the quest at any Hackney Library: Clapton Library, Dalston CLR James Library, Hackney Central Library, Homerton Library, Shoreditch Library, Stamford Hill Library, Woodberry Down Library.Find out more about the Great Hackney Libraries Quest at lovehackney.uk/great-hackney-libraries-quest See Hackney Libraries carnival-themed book lists at lovehackney.uk/reading-lists

Small grants of up to £4000 are open to local community groups and organisations to fund cultural events and activities that reflect and celebrate the borough's rich diversity and heritage through its communities.This is the second round of applications for the brand new Cultural Hackney grant fund which aims to support art forms and activities across the borough, such as community events, film screenings, talks, walks, exhibitions, club nights or podcasts.The first round was launched in February 2024, attracting over 100 applications. A total of 12 grants were awarded to a diverse range of organisations, most of whom have not previously received funding from the council, including:Sounds Like HomeEvery Wednesday until 26 June, 10.30am-12.30pmHoxton Hall, 130 Hoxton Street, London, N1 6SHA weekly choir project inviting international women from a wide range of backgrounds to celebrate their diverse heritage through music by Counterpoints Arts.The London School of Architecture's Hackney PavilionMonday 3 - Monday 24 June, 12pm-6pm.The London School of Architecture, 4 Beechwood Road, London, E8 3DYThe construction of a timber pavilion to host exhibitions, workshops, talks and film screenings to engage with young people.Saigon Superfly! Sunday 23 June, 4pm-10pmCentre 151, 151 Whiston Road, London, E2 8GUA line-up of Vietnamese musicians and live DJs performing free improvisation, jazz, contemporary new music and more in the spirit of Vietnam in the 1960-70s.Haile Selassie Jah Rastafari - by Gillett Square Action GroupTuesday 23 July, 2pm-9pmGillett Square, Dalston, N16 8AZA free family-friendly event celebrating the birthday of Emperor Haile Selassie, with live Nyabinghi drumming and chanting, steel pan, Jah Prophecies Sound, Gillett Square Domino Club and a PopUp Playground.The offer is open to any community group or organisation including those based on race, religion, age, gender or sexuality, or around a particular interest or pastime, such as gardening, sport, tours, literature, film, music, fashion, photography or art. Find out more on Love Hackney.The deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 7 August  for events and activities to be held between October 2024 and March 2025. Apply here. 

A series of screen-printed images of present day Jamaica titled ‘Stories From St. Thomas’, will be displayed on billboards across Hackney from 17 June, showcasing the work of Hackney-based Windrush descendant Wayne Snooze, the first recipient of the new Windrush Amplified Art grant. Drawing from the artist's background as a child of Jamaican immigrants who arrived in the UK during the Windrush era, the images are inspired by the hand-drawn signs used in Jamaican shops and businesses, and incorporate the same traditional screen printing techniques. The £3000 Windrush Amplified Art grant, open to photographers, artists, poets, writers, art collectives, schools and community groups, was launched as part of Hackney’s 2024 Windrush microgrants programme, which funds events and activities for this year’s Windrush Generations Festival: Past. Present, Future, and aims to support and elevate the artistic talents of Hackney’s Windrush generations.The artwork was selected by the Council’s Culture team alongside renowned visual artist Dr Pogus Caesar who was delighted with the “refreshing” submission from Wayne Snooze. Caesar, remarked on Wayne’s work being “extremely original in the use of traditional methods which is rare these days. A new head with old thoughts that screams heritage in a silent way”. The images will be on display until the end of June on Chapman Road, Dalston Lane and Kingsland Road, on public billboard spaces in collaboration with partners Build Hollywood, as well as on Love Hackney. As part of the project, Wayne Snooze will also lead a screen printing workshop ‘Island to Island’ to explore connections of the Islands of the Caribbean and how those from the diaspora have flourished here for select community groups. NotesView the artworks on the Love Hackney website, Facebook and Instagram.Wayne SnoozeWayne Snooze is a London-born artist whose work focuses on exposing the beauty in normality, capturing everyday moments, creating inclusive thought provoking work that challenges our expectations of the ordinary. www.waynesnooze.comDr Pogus CaesarDr Pogus Caesar is a conceptual artist utilising multiple media. He was born in St Kitts, West Indies, and grew up in Birmingham, England. In 2018 Caesar was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Birmingham City University for his outstanding contribution to the visual arts. He is also a Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment. Considered an important visual record of Black history, Caesar’s work has been exhibited widely and his photographs and artworks have been acquired by National Gallery of Art, Washington; National Portrait Gallery, London; Victoria & Albert Museum, London; Graves Art Gallery, Sheffield; Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, Leicester; Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Wolverhampton; Martin Parr Foundation, Bristol and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham. Alongside his work as a photojournalist and artist, Caesar has also had a successful career in television as a Series Producer and Director for Central Television, Carlton Television and the BBC.Build HollywoodBuild Hollywood are creative street advertising specialists. www.buildhollywood.co.uk/ 

Young people aged 18-30 that live or work in Hackney are being invited to apply to become school governors, as part of an innovative programme encouraging more diversity in education.The Hackney Young Governors programme was designed in partnership by Hackney Council and Hackney Young Futures Commission and was first introduced as a pilot in 2021. Applications are open to people aged 18-30 with a strong connection to Hackney, for example if they:grew up in Hackney or are still living in Hackney;attended a Hackney school;work in Hackney;other (e.g. part of a Hackney community / volunteer group).Those interested are invited to apply by filling in a short online form by 24 June. As part of the programme, young governors will receive free specialist training, guidance and support. They will be paired with a fellow governor that will offer them mentoring, and they will be invited to networking events. They will gain experience working at a strategic level, developing their skills and holding leaders to account. The Young Governors programme aims to get young people from diverse backgrounds and with different lived experiences involved in shaping Hackney’s education, bringing new perspectives and fresh ideas to the local schools.A recent national survey found that young people continue to be underrepresented in school and trust governing boards, with only 9% of respondents under the age of 40 and only 1% aged between 18 and 29.The Young Governors programme aims to ensure that those having a say in the leadership of Hackney schools better reflect the demographics of the borough.What does it mean to be a school governor?School governors play a key role in education, working together with school leaders, supporting and challenging them to help improve the lives of all children and young people, and to give them the best opportunities in life. More than 300,000 people are school governors.  They come from all kinds of backgrounds, bringing a range of skills and perspectives.School governors have three main responsibilities:Helping schools have a clear vision and direction;Holding school leaders to account;Looking after the finances of the school and ensuring money is well spent.Anyone over 18 can be a school governor, and there is no knowledge or experience required. Why should I become a school governor?You will be able to make a difference and shape the work of Hackney schools to help them become more inclusive. Drawing on your lived experience and governing through the lens of a child, you will be able to influence, support and contribute to decision making. You will help transform the lives of next generations for the better, and build an education system that works for every child. More information about the programme can be found here. How to applyAre you interested in applying, or do you know someone who might be? Please submit your details by filling in a short online form by 24 June. The first prospective young governors that apply will also be invited to attend the annual Hackney Governors’ Conference, on 27 June, with the theme ‘Striving for equity in our schools’.