01. Introduction
What is cultural infrastructure?
Cultural infrastructure refers to the spaces and buildings in which cultural activities take place. This includes spaces for the production (making) of culture, the consumption (showcasing) of culture, and the supply chain activities which support both production and consumption.
Places of consumption and production are defined in this document as follows, with examples overleaf:
Consumption: Places where culture is experienced, participated in, showcased, exhibited or sold. For example, museums, galleries, theatres, cinemas, libraries, record stores and historic cultural sites.
Production: Places of creative production, where creative work is made, usually by artists, performers, makers, manufacturers or digital processes. For example creative workspaces, performing arts rehearsal spaces, music recording studios, film and television studios and industrial and light industrial units used by creative and cultural businesses. An important element of cultural production is the supply-chain sub-strata which provide the supporting materials and services for cultural production.
Dedicated faith spaces do not form part of the scope of this study. However, they were considered in some of the project recommendations in recognition of their important community functions. In addition, some of the community halls included in the mapping are also regularly used by faith groups, both for worship and for other community purposes. Pubs and other night time infrastructure also play an important role in Ealing's cultural ecosystem, especially those which provide settings for a grassroots music scene.
It is important to note the limits of cultural infrastructure mapping. In addition to types of spaces not captured in this view, timing of mapping means that some newer spaces may not be captured. Future sector surveying could provide a more granular picture of provision across the borough.
Ealing provides a total of 96 spaces for cultural production and consumption, and plays a distinct role in its West London geography and in London as a whole.
Key
Artists workspace
Artists workspace Makerspace Creative coworking desk space Creative workspace Theatre Theatre rehearsal studio Dance performance venue Dance rehearsal studio Music rehearsal studio Music production studio Textile design Set and exhibition building Prop and costume making Jewellery design Fashion and design Making and manufacturing Museum or public gallery Commercial gallery Making and manufacturing Art centre Cinema Library LGBTQ venue Archives
We Made That
Ealing Cultural Infrastructure Plan