Partnerships and Recognition

Since 2014, we’ve been self-organised, independent venue in Hackney Wick, dedicated to supporting grassroots music, art, and community. As part of London’s cultural landscape, we’re proud to be recognised for our contribution to inclusive, ethical and ecologically conscious creative spaces.

Recognition & Press Coverage

We have been widely recognised across culture, nightlife, and sustainability platforms.

Partnerships & Flagship Events and Projects

We have collaborated with a wide range of organisations and institutions on co-curated events:

  • Alice Billing House A partnership with the Creative Land Trust (CLT) to transform a Grade II building on Stratford High Street into a new hub of artist studios and to deliver a new heritage-led cultural and community engagement programme (2025, 2024, 2023) -

  • Guildhall – CHARGE Summer showcase spotlighting the talent this London-based performing arts school (2025, 2023)

  • London Fashion Week Featured in London Fashion Week 2024 with a special live jazz jam night—part of the city-wide programme celebrating creativity and community during the event (2024)

  • EFG London Jazz Festival Contribution to the EFG London Jazz Festival blending live performance, workshops, and DJ sets. (2024, 2023, 2022)

  • Open House London Festival Offering the public guided access behind the scenes to meet Grow’s studio artists and explore the repurposed warehouses which make up Grow Studios (2024, 2023, 2022)

  • Chisenhale Studios: A partnership with Chisenhale Studios’ “Into the Wild” mentoring programme, which supports early‑career artists through creative development and practical guidance. (2023, 2022, 2021)

  • V&A Lates Part of a vibrant V&A Friday Late event showcasing local DIY creativity through performances, installations, artist pop-ups, and a late-night afterparty to celebrate Hackney Wick’s dynamic arts community (2019)

  • London Short Film Festival – An inflatable theatre atop a repurposed industrial barge moored on Hackney Wick's canal was used as a space to a weekend of screenings and performances (2019)

  • Grow at Sutton House Collaborated with National Trust’s historic Sutton House for the “People’s Landscape” Late event , bringing DIY arts, drinks, and community conversation into this historic site in Homerton (2019)

  • Boiler Room Presented debut sets from Khruangbin, Donna Leake, and Nu Guinea (2016)

  • Hackney Wicked Longstanding partner venue during this iconic Hackney Wick Arts Festival and Open Studios (Various)

Community Activity and Networks

We work with artists, local organisations and community groups who share our values to share resources, ideas and experiences.

  • The Mezzanine Gallery is a dedicated exhibition space perched above the main venue with views over the canal and stage. It hosts a rotating programme of local and visiting artists including Gionatan Scali (current), Gina Southgate, and Rosemary Clunie, and has featured work from the Speculative ReMemory project, based at Alice Billing House.

  • Grow Change, launched in 2019, is a week-long programme of self-organised events with over 300 participants exploring ethical economics, climate action, education, and community resilience through talks, workshops, and films. It has since moved to Grow Social is a free, regular midweek meetup hosting activities like Stitch in Hackney, Frankie’s Chess Club, and zine-making.

  • Since 2021, Grow has served as a collection point for the Growing Communities organic vegbox scheme, supporting local food systems with seasonal produce pickups.

  • During Black History Month 2024, Grow presented a dynamic series of events including live music, spoken word, panel talks (with Marcia Carr, Lady Banton, Twiggles), and Canalside Sessions, as part of Hackney Council’s “reclaiming the narrative” campaign. View the programme.

  • Grow regularly serves as a base for Hackney Tours led by walking artist Simon Cole—exploring Hackney Wick’s creative and cultural history through guided post-Olympic urban walks.

  • Our International Women’s Day programming (2023–2024) featured female-led club nights, live performances, and a panel discussion curated by Marcia Carr, highlighting decades of contribution by women in London’s music and arts scenes. Explore the events.

  • Love Music Hate Racism has partnered with Grow for several events uniting communities through music—including pre-Carnival celebrations and UN Anti-Racism Day warm-ups (2022, 2024).

  • As part of Hackney Council’s Hello Again Campaign, we hosted ten community-led workshops in 2022 - ranging from African drumming and blacksmithing to monoprinting and activism, each paired with a shared meal for just £5.

  • In 2022, we hosted Love Football Hate Racism, marking the 50th anniversary of West Ham’s 1972 game featuring Clyde Best, Ade Coker, and Clive Charles—the first time three Black players started for a Football League side.

  • Our Artist-in-Residence Programme, launched in 2017 with the Grow Pod, offered free 3-month residencies for local creatives working on AV installations, murals, podcasts, and more. In 2022, we partnered with the SEED Project to support two spring residents. Highlights include live mural work by street artist RUN (Giacomo Bufarini), streamed and documented in public talks.

  • We collaborate with local social enterprises including Hackney Herbal, whom we stock their teas and host occasional wellbeing workshops promoting natural remedies and community connection.

  • Grow Hackney is a one of the founders of the Hackney Wick & Fish Island Community Development Trust (HWFI CDT), established in 2017 to safeguard local cultural infrastructure.

Contact us

If you're a journalist, editor, creative or community group looking to collaborate, please contact us directly at hello@growhackney.co.uk. We’re always open to partnerships that uplift independent culture and community-led initiatives.