About Us
Connecting artists with our communities…
OUR HISTORY
The Black-E (formerly known as the Great Georges Project), began with the commitment to combine a world-class contemporary arts centre, with a community centre. Having taken over the former Great George Street Congregational Church in October 1967, with the support of the late Sir Peter Moores – the team of artists led by Wendy and Bill Harpe began their cultural adventures with the long-term aim of an ‘open door’ policy.
The team would later be joined by the late Sally Morris. They became the U.K.’s first national participatory community arts centre. Creating a centre where artists (performing and making, experimental and traditional) connected with anyone, from any background, who chose to come through the door.
The proximity of the building within Britain’s oldest established African-Caribbean community – and to Europe’s oldest Chinatown – meant that cultural diversity is celebrated as a natural phenomenon.
“The Art of Survival: Here at the Black-E we are striving to remain dynamic; a driver of cultural collaboration and innovation. We are adept at using co-production to promote opportunities to authentically involve people in what we do and make.
We want to build on the legacy of our cultural founders (Bill & Wendy Harpe and Sally Morris) by keeping our work relevant and being champions of inclusive cultural leadership.
Our contribution to supporting the Arts Council of England’s Let’s Create, Strategy 2020 – 2030 is to remain ambitious in striving for cultural equity. Making space for artists and cultural practitioners from communities and groups who have historically been underfunded and underrepresented in cultural decision-making. Because we know that culture is the signature of humanity.”
Photo: Alexandra Ankrah - Chair of TrusteesThe Building
Great George Street Congregational Chapel
The Chapel was designed, built, furnished and opened in 18 months after the first church on the site (built in 1811) was destroyed by fire in 1840. The plans and designs for the new church were donated by Joseph Franklin, the City Architect. The foundation stone was laid on 7 July 1840 and the new chapel opened on 21 October 1841. The chapel cost £13,992 to build and seated almost 2,000. It became popularly known as ‘Liverpool’s Third Cathedral’.
Our home and base is the former Great George Street Congregational Chapel and originally derived its familiar name the Black-E as a shortened version of ‘The Black Church’ – a description of the Chapel in the 1960s covered with over a hundred years of inner-city smoke and grime. Although stone cleaned in the 1980s the building still retains its name.
Supporting the Nation’s Creative Ambition
The Four Investment Principles are closely interconnected
Inclusivity & Relevance
At the Black-E we are supporting diversity & inclusion and this is fully reflected across our work and the organisations we choose to work with and the arts and culture we produce.
Ambition & Quality
We are proud of our ambition and the ways we involve all of our people in improving the quality of our work and what we do.
Dynamism
The Black-E is, and will always be, dynamic – we have survived for over 50 years by responding to the challenges of future.
Environmental Responsibility
As champions of inter-generational practice, we want to help lead the way in growing environmental responsibility and ensuring a better future for everyone.
Photo: Aerial Theatre PerformersThe Black-E ‘s diversity is fully reflected in the individuals and organisations we work with and the arts and culture we produce.
Inclusivity & Relevance is at our Core
Communities and leadership:
The Black-E’s Board is always made up of 50% of local people, people from working-class backgrounds, who are accountable to our community. As volunteers, they help run our building and are involved in creating our programmes and are actively listening to, and taking account of, the views of the local community, children and young people, artists, and practitioners. Our work over 50 years has been founded on relationships with the local underserved communities. We provide a cultural anchor & we matter to people.
Workforce, Leadership and Governance:
Black-E’s workforce, leadership and governance uniquely reflects the communities we are serving: making it majority African, Caribbean and Asian Heritage. We have used our cultural practice, including cultural co-operation games created by Bill Harpe, to foster a safe workplace where harassment and discrimination can be challenged – our mission is about breaking bias and proactively tackling discrimination.
Safeguarding:
We are committed to keeping everyone safe. But we also know we have a special duty to the most vulnerable in our society. Help us by reading our Safeguarding policy.
Photo: Mural by Karl Eversley, Visual Artist.
Our Partners
Contact The BLACK-E
The Black-E, 1 Great George Street, Liverpool L1 5EW UK
Tel: +44 (0)151 709 5109 Email: staff@theblack-e.org
The BLACK-E Ratified Documents
Photo: 'Balloon" play in the studio 
Photo: Chinese dancer Fenfen Huang performs 
Photo: Visual Artist Mural. 
Photo: Chinese New Year | Robert Ambrose image sources
- alexandra-ankrah-chair-of-trustees: Alexandra Ankrah - Chair of Trustees
- inclusivity-and-relevance-image: Aerial Theatre Performers
- black-e-about-us-page-image-01-balloon-play-in-studio: 'Balloon" play in the studio
- black-e-about-us-page-image-02-chinese-dance: Chinese dancer Fenfen Huang performs
- black-e-about-us-page-image-03-artwork: Visual Artist Mural.
- black-e-about-us-page-image-04-chinese-new-year: Chinese New Year | Robert Ambrose