About
TENDERGROUND is an innovative and ambitious arts strategy and arts commissioning programme for the almshouses of Southwark Charities.
Southwark Charities’ almshouses offer older people the opportunity to lead independent lives in a safe, secure and supported environment. Currently Southwark Charities provides housing at St Mary Newington Close, London SE17 and is also realising a major development of a new world class almshouse and office building on Blackfriars Road, London SE1 to provide more long-term affordable housing for older people in partnership with JTRE London. For further information about Southwark Charities please click here to visit the website.
The programme name TENDERGROUND is inspired by the history of Southwark Charities' Blackfriars site which has been occupied as an almshouse since 1752, at which time it was used by Mr Boyfield’s Dye-House to dry cloth. Following this, for more than 250 years it has been home to Edward Edwards House, an almshouse for the people of Southwark. The word TENDERGROUND is a play on the history of the site being a 'tenterground' (a place for drying cloth) but replacing the word 'tenter' with 'tender' brings notions of care, it also speaks to 'breaking new ground' which the charity is doing through this ground breaking development. Through a varied arts commissioning programme, TENDERGROUND explores methods and processes through which art and culture can be embedded and can enhance the daily life of Southwark Charities residents, members and wider community, assist in the processes of change and transition, and support the activation of the new building.
The programme is directed by Laura Wilson and Clare Cumberlidge & Co and supported by Southwark Charities. Wilson and Cumberlidge have been working together since 2022 to develop the art strategy for Southwark Charities. They are brought together through a shared interest in structures for communal living, developing partnerships and communities and working with artists to realise ambitious and impactful artworks.
Team
Laura Wilson
Laura Wilson is an artist and curator from Northern Ireland. Laura’s interdisciplinary and research based works have been exhibited nationally and internationally – most recently at CCA Derry~Londonderry; Istanbul Design Biennial; V&A Museum; British Museum; Site Gallery; SPACE; RIBA; Delfina Foundation; and Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery. Laura is currently a visiting Fellow at the V&A Museum.
Clare Cumberlidge
Clare Cumberlidge & Co works nationally and internationally to deliver high profile commissions, engagement programmes, exhibition and cultural strategies. Expert in enabling art and art thinking to contribute to the challenges and opportunities of contemporary society clients include the V&A, BBC, Tate, Argent Kings Cross, The Mayor’s Office, Southbank Centre, British Council, Museum of London, Wellcome Trust.
Partners
We’d like to thank the many partners and supporters that have enabled our programme. If you are interested in working with us, please get in touch info@tenderground.org.
