University of Westminster academics and Soho Poly Co-Directors Professor Guy Osborn and Dr Matthew Morrison were invited to deliver a presentation about the Soho Poly at the Westminster City Council (WCC) Cultural Strategy 2026-2031 launch. The event showcased the Council’s new cultural strategy and shared how it supports venues and initiatives like the Soho Poly to deliver impactful arts and cultural events to local communities.
WCC hosted the event at London’s Royal Opera House and featured talks from WCC Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology, Culture and Air Quality Councillor Sara Hassan, and Chief Executive of the Royal Ballet and Opera Alex Beard. This was accompanied by a series of cultural presentations from partners across the borough, including the Soho Poly, Tate Britain and Donmar Warehouse.
Venue Co-Directors Professor Osborn and Dr Morrison were invited to deliver a presentation about the Soho Poly arts venue and its workshop space GO TO, explaining how WCC has supported their growth.
In the presentation, they discussed the venues’ key artistic policies which are dedicated to disrupting the everyday with arts and culture, reducing barriers to access and sharing arts practice as widely as possible across the borough.
The Soho Poly received a new entertainment licence in 2022 following a major redevelopment project supported by an initial donation of £50,000 from Westminster City Council. The Council has since supported the Soho Poly in a variety of empowering projects, such as the #DisruptYourEveryday challenge, which encouraged businesses in the City of Westminster to showcase the artistic talents of their colleagues, as well as the A Curious Dream pantomime which took place at the venue last December to help fulfil the dream of a 85-year-old local resident to play a pantomime dame.
About the event Professor Osborn said: “We were delighted that our work at Soho Poly was highlighted at the launch, WCC have been great to collaborate with in the past and we look forward to continuing this great relationship.”
The Soho Poly directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4: Quality Education, 10: Reduced Inequalities and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about the Soho Poly.
To find out how you can support the Soho Poly, contact the Development Team.
