A charity aiming to enrich Brent's cultural landscape has celebrated its fifth anniversary.
Metroland Cultures, established in 2019, has created more than 200 jobs in the borough's creative industries and brought work by Brent artists to more than 260,000 people.
Located in a former health centre in Kilburn, the Metroland Cultures' premises hosts artist studios, a gallery, a radio station, a cinema and a recording studio.
Currently, 19 artists and organisations are based at Metroland Studios, and to date it has provided free studio space to 56 artists and hosted 64 community events.
Run by Brent people, the charity delivered the London Borough of Culture programme in 2020.
In 2021, the council granted Metroland a one-off £1 million Legacy Grant to strengthen the charity's foundation and develop a sustainable business model by March 2024.
The money has been used to build upon Brent's year as the London Borough of Culture and establish a lasting legacy for the borough's artists.
Among the initiatives funded by the grant are the Brent Biennial: In the House of My Love in 2022, an exploration of the meanings of homemaking, and the Collective Rhythms festival in 2023.
Rachel Dedman, chair of the board of Metroland, said: "We’re thrilled to be celebrating five years since the inception of Metroland Cultures, an endeavour initiated with the invaluable support of Brent Council.
"We’re proud to witness the work of Brent-based artists, commissioned and supported by Metroland, being platformed in the UK's national institutions and showing their work globally."
Thomas Cattermole, director of resident services at Brent Council, said: "Celebrating Metroland Cultures milestone of five years is a testament to the impact it has had in our community.
"We remain committed to working with organisations like Metroland that champion the arts and strengthen community bonds."
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