A-Z! A-Z! A-Z! A-Z! A-z! A-Z!
A
ARTISTS
We go where artists go. We centre artist practices in the way we work, change and grow. We are an artist led organisation. *See Experiment, Practice, Projects, ResearchARTISTS PAY
needs to be fair, transparent and equitable. We dont do hiearchies of artist pay. Our policy and pay rates for artists is updated regulary and available here.AGENCY
We support people to actualise their cultural and creative agency. The more agency you have, the more powerful your voice. Not everyone is an artist but everyone can have creative agency. ACTION!
Is a research project by Holly Graham exploring the History of Anti Racist actions undertaken by people in Thamesmead and SE London in the 1990’s. It aims to explore this cultural moment and celebrate how people responded to hate - and wonB
BOOKSHOP
We provide a platform for independent publications, zines, vinyl and artist materials produced by ourselves, publishers, small press, groups, galleries, and artist practitioners. We are open to submissions and proposals to the shop. Please read our guidelines before sending us your titles. You can submit info on your publication here. We will then get back to you if we can support it.You can visit the bookshop in Cygnet Sq or visit it online.
BOARD
Our trustees are a fine group of people that help shape TACO! and support the realisation of our work. Current members of the board include Kate Forde, Rima Patel, Amanda Carmichel , Vijay Raman, Kirsty Ogg, Avril CorroonC
CARE
Give consideration to the needs of others and our own privileges. Through care and creativity we realise relationships and nurture community.COMMUNITY
Art is not made in isolation. We understand art-making to be an inherently social practice that shapes our sense of self collectively and individually. We don’t make art for a ‘community’, we make art to create one. COLLABORATION
- *see Trust, WhatCULTURE
Take to the field! Shoot the Clocks! Culture is a battleground for who determines the meaning of things. Nothing is fixed. *See AgencyCONTEXT
Strive to understand place, and our position within it. Support those who are not represented to be visible and heard.CYGNET SQ
Is a gallery, event space, bookshop and radio broadcast studio situated on a public square by a lake. It is open to the public.TACO!- 2 Cygnet Square, Thamesmead, London, SE2 9FA
Trains: Abbeywood from Crossrail, London Bridge, Cannon St, Charing Cross, Farringdon
Buses: (Boiler House Stop) 177, 244, 401, 229
D
DIY
We can do it! It dosen’t have to be perfect.DIVERSITY
In form and people. Nature abhors a monoculture. We are polyphonic by design. Human diversity is a historical and scientific fact. Come in! The water is lovely!E
EXPERIMENT
What is an artist led space? What does art do? TACO! Is an ongoing, evolving experiment and conversation exploring what a contemporary art space can be and what contemporary art can do. *See Artist-Led, ResearchEDITIONS
We sometimes ask contemporary artists and designers to make limited edition artworks, objects, apparel and merch for people to buy. All the income goes back into our activities. It’s a virtuous circle! You can have a look in our shop in Cygnet Sq or online. *See Funds, Cygnet SqEXCHANGE
Make space for an exchange that is inclusive, critical, thoughtful, at times awkward, but productive. We grow and learn through being challenged.F
FRIENDS
We all need some.If you would like to receive emails from us about things happening at TACO! then you can sign up here.
We wont abuse your data or our communication with you.
If you’d like to casually observe what we are doing or thinking from a distance, then you can do so by looking at a very small screen and following us
Insta: @tracey_aint_coming_out / @rtm.fm
Twtr: @taco_err
If you’d like to contact us directly you can via info@taco.org.uk
FUNDS
We need money walk up that hill. Fortunately we are supported in our work by the money we earn and by funders. These include Arts Council England, Peabody Trust, The Heritage Lottery, The Elephant Trust, The Henry Moore Foundation, LB of Greenwich and many others. We give thanks and praise to them for helping to make fun things happen. *see JoyG
GENEROSITY
Where we can, we should. Make space for others and set ‘yes’ as the default. * see ContextGENTRIFICATION
We are against the socio-economic displacement of people and for higher standards of living. One should not beget the other. *see AgencyH
HIRES
Our space at Cygnet Square is available to hire. You can read our price list and hire policy here.We have AV equipment for hire for events, and projects and other things. For more information about what we have to hire and our prices, please see our price list.
HUNDRED CLUB
Is a space an experimental creative space for using arts and play for children to explore the things they care about and social justice issues. The club is for families with 6-12 year old children, and their siblings, parents and carers. Through collaboration and hands-on activities members of the club experiment and play through art and making, using these as an inspiration to imagine a more fair, just and equal society. To take join the club and take part please email Natasha - NB@taco.org.uk
I
INDEPENDENCE
Undo the Institutional and be open to change. We are small and can do things differently.IMAGINE
What does an artist-led organisation look like in practice? How might we use culture to create ‘community’? How is cultural value constituted? Where is cultural capital situated?J
JOY
Does it bring Joy? Is It fun? Once you’ve walked up the hill, run down. If you’re not enjoying it, don’t do it.K
KNOWLEDGE
We have a resource library that has been developed by artists working and undertaking research at TACO! It includes physical copies of books and material available our at production studio in Poplar Place. To access email info@taco.org.ukL
LOGISTICS
Trains: Abbeywood from Crossrail, London Bridge, Cannon St, Charing Cross, Farringdon
Buses: (Boiler House Stop) 177, 244, 401, 229
LISTENING
*see RTM.FMM
MANIFESTO
We commit to the bonfire of our renewal and co-write a manifesto of our shared thoughts every year with artists and our communities. Our next iteration is due to be published in 2024.*see Experiment
N
NON
For profit. TACO! Is a registered charity ( no: 1196316). 100% of the money we raise and earn through the sales of items in our shop goes towards furthering the work we do with artists and audiences.O
OPEN
to the public, Thurs-Sunday, 10am-6pm. And then until 11:30pm on specfic evenings for events - see the website for details!P
PLACE
We are a placed based organisation. We are aware of, and think about, the context in which we work. *See Context PLATFORMS
We run a gallery, bookshop, production space and broadcast studio that provide opportunities for artists and people to make, present and distribute their work.POROUSITY
Be permable and open. A solution of dissovled ideas. Leaking all over the place.POPLAR PLACE
Is a production studio for artists, individuals and creative communities. It is situated on a residential street and we like our neighbours.30 Poplar Place, Thamesmead, London, SE28 8BB
PRACTICE
Artistic and creative practices are a form of knowledge production and critical thought. *See ResearchPRODUCTION
Culture is not for passive consumption, but for the making! * See Culture , AgencyPROGRAMME
Is free and includes exhibitions, events, discussions, workshops, screenings, publishing, and co-authored participatory projects with local people and groups.PUBLISH
We are a registered publisher and sometimes make books. You can buy some in our bookshop in Cygnet Sq or online.Q
QUALITY
Value things done well and the value they give to others. Be ambitious and make things the best they can be.QUESTIONS
What does an artist-led organisation look like in practice? How might we use culture to create ‘community’? How is cultural value constituted? Where is cultural capital situated?R
RTM.FM
is run as a community radio station providing a platform for local people, artists, musicians, producers from across SE London to broadcast. Its supported by a community of volutneer producers who help shape and lead the station and run training workshops in audio production and broadcasting. RTM is open to proposals for broadcast shows that fit the broadcasting programme. To get involved as producer or broadcaster - email us.RESEARCH
Invited artists are supported to research, develop and realise projects over a dedicated period of time. This research informs our public programme and how TACO! evolves and learns. Projects initiated by artists vary in duration, often over multiple years. We set an open timeframe with no set expectations on outcomes. *See Research, Artist Led, Action!, Got Damp, Things for Homes, Tree TimeS
SOLIDARITY
if you are a single parent, a student, unemployed, in energy or food poverty, a carer for someone, or generally down on your luck and need some help then come speak to us and we can give you a free tea or coffee, something to eat and a chat. SOUND SYSTEM
The Solidarity Sound System is a free and open community group supported by TACO! that puts on music events, makes its own speakers and runs workshops to teach others. Upcoming events can be found on this website. To get involved email us.SITES
* see Poplar Place, Cygnet SquareT
TREE TIME
is a research project by the Alternative School of Economics exploring ecology, capitalism and climate change.TRACEY
aint coming outTHAMESMEAD ARTS AND CULTURE OFFICE
(TACO! )is an artist-led space for research, production, and exchange located in Thamesmead, SE London, engaged with its local context and centring the work and role of contemporary artists. We support a dialogue between artists, audiences, community and place.THAMESMEAD
is located on London’s southeast outer edge, the town is one of the largest post-war, brutalist social housing estates in the UK and home to distinctive and diverse communities. Famous for its architecture and role in many films over the past 50 years, It is banded by the Thames , wooded green walks and canals. *See Context, PlaceTRUST
Trust in the imagination and creative agency of others. We embrace risk and the messy process of how to work together.TWANG
Achoo Clang OooffU
UNLEARN
What has been learnt. Imagine what can be done. Do things differently. *See Experiment, IndependenceV
VALUES
We do have some!*see Care, Context, Exchange, Trust, Quality, IndependenceW
WHAT
We make art, curate exhibitions , programme events, commission artists, support creativity, publish books, undertake research, realise projects, produce broadcasts, debate ideas, develop talent, teach new skills, nurture community, invest locally, imagine the future, and dream of the past. WHO
We are artists and producers who work together to make things happen.Mat Jenner is the Artistic Director
Natasha Bird is the C YP Producer
Community Hosts include Cillian Finnerty,Denny-Kaulbach, E V Grantham, and Nico Sharpe.
WHERE
*See Cygnet Sq, Poplar Place, ThamesmeadX
XXXX
Y
YOUTH
We embrace the messy, unpredictable, non-linear and ugly! We imagine the future! We put play at the center of what we do and work in ways and scales not possible within a classroom setting to produce high quality, innovative and compelling artworks, broadcasts, and publications, produced by and with children and young people. How and what we do with Children and Young people can be read about here. * See Hundred Club, JoyYESTERDAY
You can find a list of things we’ve done previously here. We also helped set up an archive for Thamesmead. We use it as a resource and contribute to it via our projects. You can look at that here.Z
ZERO
is the figure we are aiming for with our waste and carbon. Zero problems. By 2026 *See Tree Timeupdated 1.05.22