Archive
Metroland Cultures came out of Brent’s year as London Borough of Culture, in 2020. Explore the archive to learn more about our programmes, commissions, and the artists we’ve supported.
Metroland Cultures came out of Brent’s year as London Borough of Culture, in 2020.
A key aim of the London Borough of Culture year was to set up a charity to continue and develop this work. Metroland Cultures is the result.
Since 2020 we’ve been developing a programme based on what we learnt in 2020. We are testing and exploring ways to support our artists and communities, and we are helping to provide the creative infrastructure that our communities told us was missing.
We support visual artists, to help them stay and practice in the borough, and young people, who told us there was a lack of paid opportunities to gain experience of the creative industries in Brent.
Explore the archive to learn more about our programmes, commissions, and the artists we’ve supported.
2025
RUSHES – a new exhibition and research programme
An presentation of research bringing together archival material, film, and visual ephemera that reflect on the 1976-78 Grunwick Strike and the wider organising culture that surrounded them.
Brent Biennial 2025: Bones, stones and calling the four elements
The third edition of the Brent Biennial, Bones, stones and calling the four elements, will present workshops, talks, performance and exhibition by 21 artists and community organisers.
Brent Biennial 25: EARTH Ritual
Happening 24–26 July the Brent Biennial EARTH Ritual is a three-day programme engaging with the element of EARTH. Artworks will be installed and on view in the park and at ACAVA until August 1st
Brent Biennial 25: FIRE Ritual
Happening 26 Sept – 12 Oct the Brent Biennial FIRE Ritual is a two-week programme engaging with the element of FIRE.
Brent Biennial 25: WATER Ritual
Happening June 22nd the Brent Biennial WATER Ritual is a one-day programme engaging with the element of water.
Brent Biennial 25: AIR Ritual
AIR Ritual takes place from 17 – 24 October 2025
2024
All moved in! Peer-to-Peer 2024 updates
A look back at the second half of the 2024 Peer-to-Peer workshop programme, and a look into the future for this year’s cohort.
Kilburn Print Workshop – Heiba Lamara
The Kilburn Print Workshop is a commission with artist Heiba Lamara dedicated to community publishing and print and design education.
Divinations: a collective enquiry
How can a community transform a biennial?And how can a biennial be for and with the community?
Annie Jael Kwan Curator of Brent Biennial 2025
The curator for the 3rd edition of the Brent Biennial is Annie Jael Kwan.
Announcing Lizzie Graham, Metroland’s new Programmes Curator.
Having previously worked as the Associate Civic Curator at Serpentine, where she worked connecting artists and communities through long term residency programmes, we are thrilled to have Lizzie joining our team here at Metroland!
2023
With Us All – Sufra and Sean Roy Parker
A glasshouse commissioned for a community garden in the heart of the St. Raphael estate
Collective Rhythms 2023
A summer of music, sound and healing took place across Brent in 2023. Featuring partners from across the borough with festivals, workshops, exhibitions and more.
2023 in review
We commissioned an evaluation of our work in 2023. The learnings are being fed into everthing we do going forwards.
Metroland Young Associates 2023
Young people from across Brent developing new skills and experiences.
2022
Brent Biennial 2022
The second edition of the Brent Biennial, titled In the House of my Love, brought together artists and community groups whose works explore the many meanings of homemaking.
2021
Making Myself Visible
Making Myself Visible was the inaugural programme for Metroland Cultures, showcasing local and international communities of residents and artists across the borough of Brent.
2020
Brent 2020
In 2020 Brent was selected to be the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture. Find out more about our year here.
Brent Biennial
The first Brent Biennial took place in 2020, presenting art in public spaces, libraries and streets of Brent.