Our National Portfolio journey

We’re delighted that London Borough of Merton Libraries is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) 2023-26, receiving funding to build on our extensive programme of cultural events for all our residents and visitors.

 

In receiving £357,000 over three years to invest in cultural opportunities across the borough, we are commissioning artists who are interested in working in the context of libraries in innovative ways to showcase their work to diverse local communities. 

 

Funded Programme

 

NPO status enables us to further strengthen the creativity and culture offer through libraries and work with experienced arts organisations and individuals to provide a more professional and comprehensive programme that addresses inequalities in the borough.

 

Artist's Work in Libraries

Artist’s Work in Libraries is the commissioning project led by the Library Service for professional artists who wish to explore their practice in public library settings and develop their audience. Projects can take place across one or more, and even all of our seven branches.

 

2024-25

• • Monday Manifesto Club
  • LGBTQI+ creative writing & film
  • Comic workshops
  • Printmaking on Fabric
  • Bookmaking
  • Drawing from Memory
  • Origins
  • An alternative book club
  • Soft Support

2023-24

• Merton Voice Box
• Saturday Soup
• Beatbox and Voice
• Zine-making
• Carousel: Rave Culture and Electric Music
• Way Wive Wordz: Storytelling, Writing and Independent Publishing

• Capoeira with Arte Pura

• Signed Stories by Hear Art

 

Wimbledon BookFest

 

Wimbledon BookFest is a leading book festival in London and the main commissioned partner delivering an extensive programme of author events, workshops and the Merton Big Read.

 

A Borough-wide reading group

• Merton Big Read

Author Events

• Wimbledon BookFest
• Crime in the Library
• Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

Story Workshops

• Crime writing workshop
• Writing workshops Anthology 
• Jah Wobble: A Life in Music 

Manga and Graphic Novels Workshops

• Manga Workshops with Sonia Leong

 

 

 

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Volunteering opportunities in the library

 

We have two new roles to support our new arts and culture programme at Merton libraries. Please see below job descriptions and application form.

Actively looking for support with Communications!

• Arts and Culture Communications volunteer role
• Arts and Culture Production volunteer role

 

To apply, please complete the Library volunteering expression of interest form  and email it to [email protected] 

 

For all volunteer positions across Merton Libraries:

 

Volunteer opportunities