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A ground-breaking initiative aimed at integrating artists and communities in library spaces, is set to transform the borough’s libraries into vibrant cultural hubs.Art at Heart was developed in response to feedback from around 8,500 Hackney residents, and residents expressing that one of their top desires is for libraries to become dynamic centres for creativity. This summer, the project will train early-career artists through paid residencies in libraries across Hackney, collaborating closely with local community groups. The initiative, led by Hackney Council in collaboration with Art School Plus, and funded by Arts Council England, will see award-winning artists including Ingrid Pollard and Olivia Plender, lend their expertise to help the artists integrate their work and residencies into library spaces. Local artists will take part in a training week facilitated by artist, feminist and co-founder of the Glasgow Women's Library Dr Adele Patrick.Hackney’s Libraries service will also partner with students from the MFA Curating course at Goldsmiths, University of London to provide two curators with a specialism in socially engaged and public art an opportunity to work in libraries. Acting as advisers and peers, the curators will support the artists working within the library spaces to build a network and trigger future collaborations.Disability-led arts organisation SHAPE will collaborate with Arts School Plus to break down barriers in culture and to involve their network of disabled creatives in reimagining the library as a vibrant place of community, expression and imagination. The programme is part of Hackney’s libraries strategy which focuses on promoting creativity, reading and lifelong learning, digital inclusion, volunteering and participation, and engaging with vulnerable people and communities throughout the borough.Residents will have the opportunity to visit their local libraries and take part in the Art at Heart programme during the summer. Dates and times for the arts activities will be published on Love Hackney in July 2024.NotesHackney Libraries ServiceHackney Council runs eight libraries and a Community Library Service - its membership is open to anyone and allows customers to borrow stock, to use the computers and participate in cultural, learning and community focused activities. Information on all Hackney Libraries can be found on Love Hackney.The libraries strategy for Hackney 2022 to 2026 is a vision for what the borough’s library service aims to achieve over the four years. It responds directly to what residents said they wanted for their libraries. View libraries strategy for Hackney 2022 to 2026 here.Art School PlusArt School Plus connects early-career artists with organisations, businesses, and public realm projects.Art School Plus is both an alternative artist training programme and an innovator of unique projects. It is the bridge between artists and opportunities which exist outside of a gallery setting, supporting both organisations and artists in making projects a reality.The Art School Plus programme champions the role of the artist within a wider social context, supporting a true diversity of voices and perspectives in this space.Arts Council EnglandArts Council England (ACE) is the national development agency for creativity and culture. ACE has set out their strategic vision in Let’s Create that by 2030 England will be a country in which the creativity of all is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone has access to a range of high quality cultural experiences. ACE invest public money from the Government and The National Lottery to help support the sector and to deliver the vision.