Museum of Homelessness to open in Finsbury Park next year
New centre will host creative arts programmes and community services focused on homelessness and housing
A community charity dedicated to tackling homelessness and housing issues in the capital will open a permanent centre for its activities in Finsbury Park, London, next year.
The Museum of Homelessness (MoH) has secured a 10-year lease from Haringey Council to set up a new 'museum' at Manor House Lodge. The commitment means that “significant investment” can be put into the site to further the charity's objectives.
As well as being a base of operations for MoH, the lodge will also serve as a centre for “creativity, healing and community cohesion”, the charity says.
Part of this involves the provision of a “world class creative hub”, hosting performances, talks and workshops; all developed by people with experience of homelessness.
The plans for the site also include an open access professional standard arts studio for people experiencing homelessness, as well as a home for the national archive and collection for homelessness, poverty and social action.
“After working in borrowed venues for seven years and relying on the generosity of partners especially the Outside Project, we are delighted to be putting down roots in Haringey,” said MoH co-founder, Matt Turtle.
“Finsbury Park is the people’s park, with a proud and radical history. We are excited about transforming this precious site into a museum space like no other, a place where people can hear stories they won't hear [from] anyone else and receive practical support when they need it.
“Our community will work with partners including the council and people experiencing homelessness locally to make a space for everyone.”
In the coming year, MoH's plans include showing new work developed with the local community by three artists in residence. These are Jacob V Joyce, Liv Wynter, and Surfing Sofas. The charity also intends to collaborate further with long term-artistic associate gobscureon developing a piece to mark the opening of the site.
Aside from these artistic endeavours, MoH also intends to provide 250 support sessions per year (five per week) from Manor House Lodge. These will be designed in partnership with those in need. This is likely to include regular surgeries focused on housing and legal rights, the charity says, as well as the provision of essentials at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is biting.
Moving into a more permanent base has come about with the support of a variety of partners, MoH says, including the borough council. Funders for its programme and activities for the first three years include Historic England, The Linbury Trust, Oak Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, and Arts Council England.
MoH is also be partnering with Access to Sports, providing space on-site so the sports development charity can continue its “important work” in the park.
“In Haringey we are proud of our approach to supporting residents affected by rough sleeping and homelessness, so I am delighted that Finsbury Park will soon be home to a new Museum of Homelessness,” said Councillor Julie Davies, the council's cabinet member for communities and civic life.
“As well as being an important community space that draws on our borough’s rich heritage of social action, this new museum will challenge visitors to rethink their preconceptions and encourage them to approach people who experience homelessness with compassion and empathy.”
Officially opening its doors sometime mid-23 in the Spring or Summer, the new Finsbury Park museum will provide paid creative employment for seven “talented people with experience of homelessness”.
Furthermore, the new permanent base is expected to bring significant investment to the site as well as the park and the surrounding boroughs, the charity says. These funds, raised independently, will go to residents of Haringey, Hackney, and Islington, who will be encouraged to work with MoH to co-produce its services and actives on site, as well as decide what is most needed.
Indeed, the project is taking a hands-on approach from its very inception. People with experience of homelessness are themselves taking the lead in developing plans for the site. In this, they are being supported by Stephen Greenberg, a museum masterplanner and founder of Metaphor Design, who has work on over 100 museum projects.
“This is a critical moment in the development of the museum and we are grateful for the support and commitment of our partners at Haringey Council, our funders, and everyone who has supported us on this journey,” said Sharon Heal, chair of MoH's board of trustees. “This ground-breaking museum is everything a museum should be, rooted and radical and with a far-reaching ambition to make positive and lasting change with our communities.”
MC