Pen to Print is Barking & Dagenham’s Arts Council England (ACE), Library National Portfolio Organisation (NPO).
Established by the library service the Pen to Print programme has been working in Barking & Dagenham since 2014 funded by LB of Barking & Dagenham and Arts Council England. Becoming an ACE National Portfolio Organisation in 2018, we in our second period of NPO funding 2023 to 2028. As part of the library offer in our Community Hubs, Pen to Print is an established network of free writer support.
We offer advice guidance and collaboration with authors, artists and storytellers from all backgrounds and experience, our priorities are with those from communities currently underrepresented in the wider arts and publishing industries. Having established a regional community of writers and storytellers, we now reach audiences nationally and internationally. To support this ambition we offer a multi-faceted free programme of activities, events, classes and workshops based in Barking & Dagenham.
We welcome everyone to connect and collaborate with Pen to Print, Barking & Dagenham and our partners.
Here are some opportunities to do so:
Activity/ Event/ Workshop Proposals
Pen to Print encourages everyone to develop a career in the arts, writing and publishing industries and offers you the chance to learn how with us. As part of this ambition we give you the opportunity to develop your creative practice and work with Pen to Print by delivering sessions, whether you are an expert and worked in the industry for years, or just starting out on your career and looking for a chance to hone your skills.
We welcome any UK based creatives to work with us but particularly encourage those who are from the global majority, lower socio-economic backgrounds, LGBTQ+, disabled, neurodivergent or underrepresented communities.
If you have an idea for an event, class or workshop we would love to hear from you please download a Proposal Form and email it to us at pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk If you have any questions please contact us.
Community Commissions
Do you live or work in Barking & Dagenham? We would love to hear your ideas for celebrating notable dates in our Barking & Dagenham corporate calendar.
The themed months we are looking to support are:
- LGBTQ+ Month – February
- Women’s Empowerment Month – March
- South Asian Heritage Month – July
- Black History Month – October
You can also suggest an event to celebrate any other notable date you feel needs marking.
You can bid for activities that cost no more than £500. If you think you may need more funding please contact us to discuss your idea and negotiate funding.
Whatever your experience, we would love to collaborate with you to support your idea for celebrating the stories tied to theses important dates.
We welcome any UK based creatives to work with us but particularly encourage those who are from global majority, lower socio-economic backgrounds, LGBTQ+, disabled, neurodivergent or from underrepresented communities.
Please complete the form in the link below and email any additional documents and images to pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk with the event title in the subject line.
If you have any questions please contact us at pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk
Opportunities with Our Partners
Discover opportunities to work and volunteer with our valued Pen to Print partners.
