Brent Stories
Brent 2020 is all about the people of our borough - their stories and their histories, their loves and their lives. You can read, hear and watch what they have to say on these pages.
Join the Metroland Cultures Team
If you think Metroland Cultures is the place for you, then why not take a look at our current job vacancies.
27 January 2021
Metroland Studios Artist Residents Announced
Metroland Cultures announces the artists who are part of a new residency scheme at Metroland Studio in Kilburn.
27 January 2021
Metroland Cultures: Delivering Brent 2020's Legacy
Kickstarting Brent's cultural development and a legacy of Brent 2020, London Borough of Culture.
27 January 2021
New Vacancy! Seen & Heard Coordinator
Metroland Cultures are recruiting for a Seen & Heard Coordinator
7 January 2021
THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF BRENT 2020
Brent's year as London Borough of Culture has been a celebration of the spirit and creativity of the borough. Relive some of the incredible memorable moments here and let us know what your favourites were.
23 December 2020
ZADIE SMITH LIVE: Brent Locked In Exclusive
How has growing up in Brent, shaped Zadie Smith's outlook and work? Watch this exclusive interview with one the finest chroniclers of contemporary London.
16 December 2020
Seen and Heard Petition Launched
Members of the Blueprint Collective announce a campaign asking for better public spaces for young people in London, and for young people to have an active role in their design.
25 November 2020
BRAIN OF BRENT: PART 2 (REGGAE)
Challenge your knowledge of Reggae and it's association with Brent with our Brain of Brent quiz.
17 November 2020
TODAY: TUNE IN TO NO BASS LIKE HOME ONLINE FESTIVAL
Tune in from 12pm (GMT) / 7am (EST).
15 November 2020
LINE UP ANNOUNCED FOR NO BASS LIKE HOME ONLINE FESTIVAL
The line-up for NO BASS LIKE HOME Online Festival is announced!
5 November 2020
BRENT BIENNIAL: COVID-19 UPDATE
In line with the latest government guidance, indoor installations and exhibitions as part of Brent Biennial will close to the public temporarily from Thursday 5 November. This includes all artworks sited in Brent council and community libraries.
4 November 2020
BRAIN OF BRENT: PART 1 (PEOPLE)
Challenge your historical knowledge of the borough with our Brain of Brent quiz.
28 October 2020
NO BASS LIKE HOME ONLINE FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED
NO BASS LIKE HOME Online Festival will bring together over 20 leading acts from London and Jamaica, performing exclusively live for Brent 2020, London Borough of Culture.
26 October 2020
BRENT LOCKED IN: Episode 17
How have Brent’s legends been coping during the ongoing pandemic, and what might it mean for their work and practice?
23 October 2020
BOOK NOW! THE LATEST BRENT ARTIST NETWORK EVENT: MEET THE FUNDERS
A roundtable discussion with representatives from three funding organisations including Arts Council England, National Heritage Lottery Fund, and Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC).
23 October 2020
The Agency: Sancia
Read a blog from Sancia, whose successful The Agency project is a podcast that tells the story of young care leavers in Brent and the stories of the people who support them. Aims to change the narrative about care leavers and offer advice.
21 October 2020
THE AGENCY HELPS MAKE YOUNG PEOPLE OF BRENT’S IDEAS A REALITY
Inspiring young entrepreneurs have been awarded £2000 each to develop their ideas for social change through Kiln Theatre’s The Agency initiative, part of Brent 2020.
21 October 2020
METROLAND STUDIO: RESIDENCIES FOR ARTISTS
Metroland Cultures to offer a new residency scheme for visual artists, including free studio space, at Metroland Studio in Kilburn.
15 October 2020
BRENT BIENNIAL: PUBLIC PROGRAMME REVEALED
Brent 2020 reveals the Brent Biennial pubic programme, a series of special online talks, workshops and performances.
9 October 2020
Open Call: Barby Asante - Declaration of Independence
You are invited to create a Declaration of Independence - a performative work that invites womxn of colour to make personal / collective declarations working with artist Barby Asante, as part of the Brent Biennial 2020.
21 September 2020
BRENT LOCKED IN: Episode 16
How have Brent’s legends been coping during the ongoing pandemic, and what might it mean for their work and practice?
15 September 2020
BRENT LOCKED IN: Episode 15
How have Brent’s legends been coping during the ongoing pandemic, and what might it mean for their work and practice?
21 August 2020
BRENT LOCKED IN: Episode 14
How have Brent’s legends been coping during the ongoing pandemic, and what might it mean for their work and practice?
10 August 2020
BRENT LOCKED IN: Episode 13
How have Brent’s legends been coping during the ongoing pandemic, and what might it mean for their work and practice?
7 August 2020
AN UPDATE ON THE BRENT 2020 PROGRAMME
Brent 2020 is today unveiling its programme of events for the rest of its year as London Borough of Culture.
7 August 2020
BRENT LOCKED IN: Episode 12
How have Brent’s legends been coping during the ongoing pandemic, and what might it mean for their work and practice?
30 July 2020
Brent Artist Network: How to Create Mass Participation Artworks
A roundtable discussion showcasing the process of mass participation artworks with a look back at LBOC's opening ceremony, RISE.
29 July 2020
BRENT LOCKED IN: Episode 11
How have Brent’s legends been coping during the ongoing pandemic, and what might it mean for their work and practice?
23 July 2020
Brent Artist Network: Workshop: Facilitators' Toolkit
An interactive workshop offering practical guidance to artist-facilitators on how to manage commonly faced challenges and foster resilience.
17 July 2020
BRENT LOCKED IN: Episode 10
How have Brent’s legends been coping during the ongoing pandemic, and what might it mean for their work and practice?
15 July 2020
POWER OF A SOUNDSYSTEM
An online conversation on UK Sound System culture and the legacy of Reggae-as-resistance.
13 July 2020
Documenting Black British History
A discussion on the importance of documenting Black British cultural heritage and the approach the No Bass Like Home project has taken to build a digital reggae archive with the community.
13 July 2020
BRENT ARTIST NETWORK: Black Cultural Leaders Discuss: Careers, Allyship, Accountability
This roundtable centres the voices of four Black cultural leaders who will discuss their career paths and accountability in the arts sector.
10 July 2020
ARTIST NETWORK: Black Cultural Leaders Discuss: Careers, Allyship, Accountability
This roundtable centres the voices of four Black cultural leaders who will discuss their career paths and accountability in the arts sector.
10 July 2020
BRENT LOCKED IN: Episode 9
How have Brent’s legends been coping during the ongoing pandemic, and what might it mean for their work and practice?
9 July 2020
BRENT ARTIST NETWORK: HOW TO DEMONSTRATE YOUR IMPACT TO FUNDERS AND PARTNERS
A practical guide to implementing monitoring & evaluation standards in cultural programmes. Offered by Brent 2020, London Borough of Culture
30 June 2020
BRENT LOCKED IN: Episode 8
How have Brent’s legends been coping during the ongoing pandemic, and what might it mean for their work and practice?
26 June 2020
BRENT LOCKED IN: Episode 7
How have Brent’s legends been coping during the ongoing pandemic, and what might it mean for their work and practice?
18 June 2020
BRENT LOCKED IN: Episode 6
How have Brent’s legends been coping during the ongoing pandemic, and what might it mean for their work and practice?
10 June 2020
BRENT LOCKED IN: Episode 5
How have Brent’s legends been coping during the ongoing pandemic, and what might it mean for their work and practice?
4 June 2020
Volunteers' Week: Ayelen
During Volunteers’ Week, 1 - 7 June, we’d normally be able to thank all of our volunteers in person. However, because of the current crisis, we’re not able to see everyone so it’s even more important to let volunteers know how much we value them and to say Thank You. This week, we're highlighting a handful of those volunteers and sharing their experience of volunteering for Brent 2020.
4 June 2020
Metroland Cultures Fund Artists Announced
Metroland Cultures announces the artists to be supported by the Metroland Cultures Fund.
3 June 2020
Volunteers' Week: Alejandra
During Volunteers’ Week, 1 - 7 June, we’d normally be able to thank all of our volunteers in person. However, because of the current crisis, we’re not able to see everyone so it’s even more important to let volunteers know how much we value them and to say Thank You. This week, we're highlighting a handful of those volunteers and sharing their experience of volunteering for Brent 2020.
3 June 2020
Volunteers' Week: Nicoletta
During Volunteers’ Week, 1 - 7 June, we’d normally be able to thank all of our volunteers in person. However, because of the current crisis, we’re not able to see everyone so it’s even more important to let volunteers know how much we value them and to say Thank You. This week, we're highlighting a handful of those volunteers and sharing their experience of volunteering for Brent 2020.
2 June 2020
Volunteers' Week: Pamela
During Volunteers’ Week, 1 - 7 June, we’d normally be able to thank all of our volunteers in person. However, because of the current crisis, we’re not able to see everyone so it’s even more important to let volunteers know how much we value them and to say Thank You. This week, we're highlighting a handful of those volunteers and sharing their experience of volunteering for Brent 2020.
2 June 2020
Volunteers' Week: Richard and Arushka, Brent 2020 Volunteer Team
During Volunteers’ Week, 1 - 7 June, we’d normally be able to thank all of our volunteers in person. However, because of the current crisis, we’re not able to see everyone so it’s even more important te let volunteers know how much we value them and to say Thank You.
2 June 2020
BRENT LOCKED IN: Episode 4
How have Brent’s legends been coping during the ongoing pandemic, and what might it mean for their work and practice?
29 May 2020
Brent Artist Network: Nothing About Us Without Us: Co-creation with Young People
A roundtable discussion addressing co-creation with young people and how to get started in creating and delivering work with young people.
26 May 2020
BRENT LOCKED IN: Episode 3
How have Brent’s legends been coping during the ongoing pandemic, and what might it mean for their work and practice?
21 May 2020
BRENT LOCKED IN: Episode 2
How have Brent’s legends been coping during the ongoing pandemic, and what might it mean for their work and practice?
15 May 2020
BRENT ARTIST NETWORK: Building grassroots arts communities with Word Up
A roundtable discussion with the leaders of Word Up, discussing how to build and sustain grassroots arts.
13 May 2020
VENT Covid-19 Fact Checkers: Episode 2
A new mini-series, demystifying and interrogating the latest coronavirus conspiracies.
12 May 2020
VENT Documentaries: Episode 3
VICE Documentaries Episode 3: Why Does Everyone Call Me Carlos?
11 May 2020
BRENT LOCKED IN: Episode 1
How have Brent’s legends been coping during the ongoing pandemic, and what might it mean for their work and practice?
7 May 2020
Brent Artist Network: How To Plan And Run Virtual Events
Brent Artist Network's next event, a roundtable discussion with Brent-based artists and creatives sharing their experience and best tips for delivering events online.
7 May 2020
Brent Artist Network: First Event
Brent Artist Network's first event, a hands-on workshop to design and deliver accessible arts events.
1 May 2020
VENT Documentaries: Episode 1
Across four series, young people from Brent bring you documentaries about politics, identity, love, relationships, culture, crime and justice. For our first series, we're talking about identity.
27 April 2020
VENT Covid-19 Fact Checkers: Episode 1
A new mini-series, demystifying and interrogating the latest coronavirus conspiracies.
22 April 2020
METROLAND CULTURES LAUNCHES NEW FUND TO SUPPORT BRENT ARTISTS
Today Metroland Cultures announces a brand new £25,000 fund to provide financial support to Brent artists and creatives during the COVID-19 crisis.
15 April 2020
Brent 2020 Unlocked
Our response to the new challenges faced by artists and the wider creative sector.
14 April 2020
The Borough of Disco
Brent is the borough of Reggae, however thanks principally to Kwaku’s research we now know that between 1974-85 it was also The Borough of DISCO.
7 April 2020
HOME is WHERE the art is
Supported by Brent 2020 Culture Fund, LEAP Intergenerational Arts led a series of creative workshops that saw primary schools and day-care centres in Brent work together with artists to produce creative exhibitions, recordings and live performances.
2 April 2020
The Borough of Rave
Brent, as we know, is the borough of Reggae, but thanks principally to Kwaku’s research, we now know that between 1988 - 1993 it was also The Borough of Rave.
25 March 2020
COVID-19: A Message from Brent 2020 Artistic Director Lois Stonock
Today we are announcing some changes to the timetable of the programme for Brent 2020 in the light of the current COVID-19 outbreak.
19 March 2020
Interview With Helen Delany of Electronic Sheep, 2020 Culture Fund Designer
Electronic Sheep are designers Helen Delany and Brenda Aherne – they specialise in graphic knitwear and illustration. Helen spoke to us about their Culture Fund supported tapestry, which will tell a new story about the influence of Irish people living on and around Kilburn.
9 March 2020
BRENT 2020 AND KILN THEATRE ANNOUNCE PRODUCTIONS FOR 2020
Brent 2020, London Borough of Culture, and Kiln Theatre today announces the world premiere of Zadie Smith’s debut play, The Wife of Willesden, adapted from Chaucer’s The Wife of Bath, and NW Trilogy, three short plays by Moira Buffini, Suhayla El-Bushra and Roy Williams – proudly part of 2020.
4 March 2020
Reggae Archive Launched at Jamaican High Commission
On Wednesday 12 February, Bass Rewind showcased the newly created Brent 2020 Reggae Archive at the Jamaican High Commission in Kensington. In collaboration with the Jamaican High Commission and JAMPRO Trade and Investment, attendees also heard from both lovers rock legend Carroll Thompson and DJ / Producer Shy One, who spoke about their connection to reggae.
13 February 2020
Interview With Tamsin Nathan of To The T, 2020 Culture Fund Designer
To The T is a design company with a social conscience, founded by Tamsin Nathan. Using a variety of creative mediums with a focus on costumes, styling and art direction To The T brings real issues to life using film theatre and photography to present the work. To the T’s latest project, a short-film called T.O.Y. (The Other Youth), is supported by the Brent 2020 Culture Fund and looks at the circumstances that turn children to violence.
12 February 2020
Interview With Rose Rouse, 2020 Culture Fund Poet
Rose Rouse is a journalist, poet and the author of ‘A London Safari, Walking Adventures in NW10’, one of the only non-fiction, recently-written books about life in Brent today. With support from Brent 2020 Culture Fund, Rose will be collaborating with eight poets from the borough to explore and reveal the less-well-known life of Willesden Junction Station.
7 February 2020
Culture Capital Competition - Launched!
A competition for Brent-based music acts to win a chance to perform at The SSE Arena, Wembley.
6 February 2020
RISE: Brent 2020 Opening Event
On Saturday 18 January, thousands of people gathered on Olympic Way in Wembley Park to celebrate the launch of Brent’s year as London Borough of Culture 2020 at RISE - a spectacular, free outdoor show hosted by principal partner, Wembley Park.
21 January 2020
RISE Behind-The-Dance: Kashmira Sunni
We caught up with Kashima Sunni, Brent born entrepreneur and dancer in RISE.
10 January 2020
VENT Weekly: Episode 1
VENT - The first of the must-hear podcast series for 2020 is LIVE. VICE journalist Ruby Lott-Lavigna and Brent 2020 Seen and Heard Ambassador Yusriya Abdullatif discuss young people's access to public space. From 'No Ball Games' signs to music festivals, the episode explores who public space is really for, and who is excluded.
8 January 2020
RISE Behind-The-Dance: Anton Peris
RISE is the opening event for Brent's year as the London Borough of Culture 2020. It is an outdoor spectacular telling the story of Brent through dance, film and an amazing soundtrack with a community cast of hundreds. We caught up with Anton Paris, Brent born entrepreneur and dancer in RISE...
7 January 2020
RISE Behind-The-Dance: Robby Graham, Choreographer
RISE is the opening event for Brent's year as the London Borough of Culture 2020. It is an outdoor spectacular telling the story of Brent through dance, film and an amazing soundtrack with a community cast of hundreds. We caught up with Robby Graham, the director and Choreographer of RISE...
6 January 2020
Interview With Jude Wacks, 2020 Culture Fund Artist
Jude Wacks is a photographer from Willesden Green. This year she was awarded funding from the Brent 2020 Culture Fund to document shops in the borough that have been passed from one generation to another. In a borough which is always changing, these shops are one of the few things that doesn’t.
4 January 2020
To The Borough That Raised Me
To the borough that raised me, Yours sincerely, Savannah Mullings-Johnson
23 December 2019
RISE Behind-The-Dance: Community
Over the past two months, hundreds of Brent residents have been attending weekly dance rehearsals at venues across the borough for the forthcoming opening event of Brent’s year as London Borough of Culture. We’re taking you behind the scenes, to join exceptional community and dance-markers as they create and rehearse for RISE.
20 December 2019
Interview With Roy Mehta, 2020 Culture Fund Artist
Roy Mehta is a photographer who grew up in Kenton. With support from the Brent 2020 Culture Fund, he is revisiting his project, documenting life in Harlesden, with students from the College of North West London.
20 December 2019
Different Is Normal
For Rajiv Chabria, a 2020 Community Advisor, the universal experience in Brent is that you can be yourself, no matter who you are. In Brent people are appreciated, not just accepted.
17 December 2019
What Brent Looks Like From Coventry
It normally takes leaving to work out what you like about the place you left behind. For the last year Boaz Adelekan, a member of the Blueprint Collective, has been a student at the University of Warwick near Coventry. If you think someone from Brent might feel alienated in Coventry think again...
17 December 2019
2020 Culture Fund Launches Round Three
The third and final round of the 2020 Culture Fund is now open! Application deadline: Tuesday 4 February 2020
1 December 2019
2020 Culture Fund: Round Three Announcement
The third round of projects to be supported by the 2020 Culture Fund have been announced.
1 December 2019
2020 Culture Fund: Round Two Announcement
The second round of successful 2020 Culture Fund projects have been announced!
25 November 2019
Brent to host 25th anniversary of the MOBO Awards
MOBO Awards: 25th anniversary ceremony to be hosted in Brent
11 November 2019
New charter for urban development created by Brent’s young people
A campaign led by young people with the London School of Economics
11 November 2019
Internationally-acclaimed local author Zadie Smith to write new work for Brent 2020
A Chaucer-inspired new story from Zadie Smith - The Wife of Willesden - is to debut as part of Brent 2020
11 November 2019
Brent 2020 Programme Unveiled!
Brent 2020 programme details announced at Kiln Theatre launch
7 November 2019
Brent needs you! Full volunteer programme launches
It’s the people of Brent that will make our programme. So get up, stand up, as Bob Marley would say, and join our pioneering volunteering team!
25 September 2019
Volunteer Training and Skill Sharing Sessions Now Underway
The Brent 2020 Volunteer programme has launched!
29 August 2019
The Blueprint Collective Get Creative
Mindspray hosts a creative storytelling workshop for Brent's young people
29 August 2019
2020 Culture Fund: Round One Announcement
The Brent 2020 team have announced the first projects to be supported by the 2020 Culture Fund
20 August 2019
Do you love Reggae?
Have you danced the night away at a concert, spent hours flicking through records in Hawkeye or Starlight Records or have your favourite Spotify reggae playlist?
7 August 2019
2020 Culture Fund Launches Round Two
The second round of the 2020 Culture Fund is now open!
4 July 2019
2020 Culture Fund Launches Round Two
The second round of the 2020 Culture Fund is now open!
13 June 2019
Brent 2020’s Volunteer Programme Has Launched
We are now recruiting our very first cohort of volunteers
1 June 2019
Brent 2020’s Volunteer Programme Has Launched
We are now recruiting our very first cohort of volunteers.
1 June 2019