We are commissioning two local creative/heritage practitioners (one in Luton and one in London) to bring to life oral histories connected with the River Lea in new and innovative ways, as part of our new project, Undercurrent.

Undercurrent is built upon the ambition for a project to honour Luton’s heritage of activism and music sub-cultures and to connect working-class stories along the River Lea – from its source in Leagrave, journeying through Hertfordshire and Enfield, past the Olympic Park in Newham to where it meets the River Thames at the Royal Docks. Starting at Marsh Farm, the project will document and interpret the related past of this significant locations and their historic gatherings of people – from the myths and legends of prehistory to punk parties in the location’s Nissen hut. During the research phase, we will be undertaking a range of activities to discover and document histories associated to both the river and the themes of activism, working class narratives and histories of sub-cultures and alternative communities.

The commissioned practitioners will pilot new ways of bringing oral histories to life for a live audience, working with the research conducted by a research historian and the wider Undercurrent team to present stories in an engaging, relevant and accessible way.

For more information, including on how to apply, please download the full brief.

The deadline for applications is 9am Monday 22 April 2024.

Undercurrent is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England and Bloomberg Philanthropies.