about crouch end festival
Crouch End Festival is led by three directors: Chris Arnold, Amanda Carrara and Chris Currer. It has been supported by many other team members over the years. We bring together local creatives to celebrate the community and arts. It has grown since then to be the biggest community arts festival in London, covering Crouch End, Hornsey, Stroud Green and Finsbury Park.
It all started in 2012 as a small event in and around the Town Hall Green and Hornsey Town Hall. In 2017 the Town Hall was closed for restoration; till then it was our main venue and we were given access to all areas inside and outside.
Now CEF operates year round; the summer festival is our primary event but we also started the tradition of the Christmas tree and market in the square. We use the Clocktower at Hallowe’en, Christmas and Easter, plus organise music events at Holy Innocents and St Mary’s Tower.
CEF represents the local community in partnership with many local businesses and groups including CENF, CE Traders Association and Haringey Council.
We have developed venues for community use, such as HTH, Holy Innocents, St Mary’s Tower, The Clocktower, Hornsey Library gardens and Stationers Park. We are active on committees and raise funds to improve the local area and support local businesses and organisations across the borough. We support local events, groups and individuals with equipment loan, advice, contacts and hands-on help.
CEF are funded by sponsorship from local businesses and organisations over the years including Haringey Council. Sponsorship is raised to support events and operations. No directors are paid and all profits are ploughed back into future events.
the festival team
Chris Arnold
Artistic director and festival Co-founder
At 19 I found myself in Crouch End at the infamous Hornsey College of Art – the rebel college. It was awesome. I remember a slogan on the wall that read, ART IS LIFE. LIFE IS ART. After many years in marketing including Creative Director of Saatchi & Saatchi, I moved back to Crouch End and started the Crouch End Creatives Facebook group. This led to the idea of starting a local festival. Crouch End was already seen as one of London’s creative hubs. I have also been developing EXPLORE MUSIC MORE, with Haringey Music Services, to support live venues. My day job? I now specialise in Social Impact Strategy and Communications.
Amanda Carrara
Director and festival Co-founder
I studied Russian and French at Nottingham University and spent most of my spare time working in the theatre. My first job was at Nottingham Playhouse before I moved to London. I’ve managed projects at home and abroad with film producers, media distributors, theatre companies, educators, charities, publishers, interpreters and entrepreneurs. Crouch End has been my home for 30 plus years where I love being involved in local arts and community. My personal passion is Hornsey Town Hall and all it represents. I'm delighted the Festival is back in the Hall and can’t wait to fill it up again with art and activity, heart and soul.
Chris Currer
Director and festival Co-founder
To be honest the photo says all anyone needs to know. Bunny ---> mic drop.
Olivia Rosen
Website Manager and Photographer
Moving to London, I started working as a sub editor and writer, working on various magazines. Then I gradually moved into web design and I enjoyed creating WordPress sites for artists and photographers. These days I focus on creating content for clients, and tending to my own music-focused website. I especially love my role as an accredited photographer for festivals and gigs. I've lived in Crouch End for over 30 years and have been involved with CEF for 12 years.
Sarah Cowan
Event Producer
I have worked as a Production Manager in theatre for over 20 years across the UK and internationally. This has included working in-house and touring with companies such as National Theatre, Almeida and Hampstead Theatre plus site specific work with companies such as DreamThinkSpeak. Recently I have diversified in to Location Management working on High-End TV and Film with the BBC, Warner Brothers and Apple. And as this doesn't keep me busy enough, I work on events and festivals – in production and producing – and have worked with CEF for 2 years.
Our legal status is a community interest company (CIC) – London Community Arts CIC registered in 2014 with three directors: Amanda Carrara, Chris Currer, Chris Arnold – all local residents of many years with backgrounds in arts, marketing and project management
crouch end festival
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