Justine Simons: I’ve been hugely encouraged by seeing people returning to our capital and cultural attractions with such enthusiasm. We all missed going out and experiencing a great gig, show or exhibition together – so I think people no longer take it for granted and there’s a renewed appreciation for arts and culture.

Culture is in London’s DNA and we have some of the greatest theatres, venues, galleries and museums in the world. With four out of five visitors coming to London for culture, tourism has a big role to play in supporting our recovery. That’s why the Mayor launched his Let’s Do London campaign – the biggest domestic tourism campaign London had ever seen – to encourage Londoners and visitors back to our city.

I’m proud that culture was at the heart of this – and that it worked! It brought in a huge extra £81m and 330,000 more overnight visitors to the city. Now that restrictions have eased, Sadiq has extended it to become an international campaign - encouraging people back to rediscover the capital by highlighting some of the incredible experiences on offer. 

The other thing that gives me hope for the future is the sheer amount of talent in this city, especially young Londoners. We’re doing a lot of work to make sure all Londoners can access the creative industries and deliver a bright future for themselves and our capital. Take our ground-breaking partnership with NBC Universal and Film London - young Londoners will get to work on major film productions and kick start their careers in the booming film and TV industry.

Ben: What changes do you think the pandemic has brought to London’s cultural scene? 

Justine: While the pandemic exposed the fragility of life as a creative, it also revealed how important culture is to everyone. So many of us turned to culture to help us through – as a source of entertainment, distraction or solace. I’m in no doubt that as human beings our lives are supported and enriched by creativity.

During the pandemic we also saw great resilience and innovation. With creative organisations finding different ways to engage with audiences – whether that was ‘Carnival on your Doorstep’ in Waltham Forest, outdoor film screenings or online theatre. We should remember that the hospitality and live event industries were hit hard by the pandemic and some sectors will need much more support from the government to bounce back fully.

Ben: Covid rates remain high across London yet measures to restrict transmission in cultural spaces are very few. This reduces their accessibility to many people who are older or disabled or have underlying conditions, or who care for them. As we head toward winter, what, if anything, do you think can and should be done about this? 

Justine: Throughout the pandemic, London cultural institutions worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of their visitors, and I know they will continue to do all they can to support those visiting. 

The vaccine remains the most important defence against serious illness from COVID-19, which is why it’s so important that anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated or received their booster yet, does so as soon as possible. It’s also vital that everyone stays alert to any symptoms and if possible, avoid contact with others if you feel unwell.

Ben: What do you say to artists and cultural workers who look at energy bills, rent increases and price rises and can’t see a way to remain in London?

Justine: London has world-leading arts, culture and creative industries providing unique opportunities for artists and cultural workers, but there is no doubt that the cost of living crisis is hitting the sector hard. 

And I’m afraid the reduction of millions of pounds of arts funding the Government is imposing on London could not have come at a worse time.

At City Hall, we are using all the levers at our disposal to support the industry. One area we have focused on is affordable workspace – artists’ studios and space for small creative businesses. This is so important because creatives workers need space to work. So far we have supported many affordable studios in London. We have nine Creative Enterprise Zones, with three more to be added in early 2023, all around the capital – they offer long term affordable space and help creatives put down roots in areas they are committed to. In September, we pledged £1.2m to help creative spaces become greener and help with rising energy bills. 

We also helped set up an innovative Creative Land Trust, which is buying creative spaces and then letting them to artists and makers at affordable rates for long leases.

Sadiq is the first mayor to protect vital creative spaces in the planning system. His London plan protects artist studios, grassroots music venues, LGBTQI+ venues.

Then we have the City Hall ‘culture and community spaces at risk’ team – or, as I like to call it, the Batphone! – to provide general help and support from anything from lease negotiations to navigating funding opportunities. In the pandemic, we super-sized it because there was so much demand and the Mayor of New York has just copied the model as part of New York’s recovery plan.

So all these measures are about giving as much certainty and support for London’s creative workers as we can, because Sadiq and I know how important London’s creative community is to the success of our city.

Ben: Given the scientific consensus on global heating, when, if ever, do you think cultural institutions in London are justified in accepting money from companies that profit from extracting and selling fossil fuels?

Justine: Climate change is one of the biggest threats we face as a planet today and we know that cities are responsible for more than 70 percent of global carbon emissions. This is why the Mayor, both as a leader of one of the world’s greatest cities but also as Chair of C40 global cities led critical discussions at a recent summit in Argentina on how we can all cut emissions and energy use more quickly, tackle the cost of living crisis, create green jobs and build resilience to climate change.

The Mayor has made clear that one course of action is to withdraw any investments we have in fossil fuel companies, which he promoted through the divestment of City Hall, and put our money instead into green technologies, projects and opportunities. Ending institutional investment in companies that extract fossil fuels and contribute directly to the climate emergency sends a powerful signal.

Ben: Increasing numbers of trans and queer artists are being framed as dangerous to children and women by people promoting “gender critical” views. What do you think about this?

Justine: London’s diversity is its greatest strength, it’s key to both our identity and our success as a global city and the Mayor is clear that trans people should be able to live their lives without constantly having their motives or identities called into question. The rights of all LGBQTI+ people and the right to freedom of expression should be accepted as fundamental human rights. In any society, having dignity and respect for each other must be the absolute baseline.

Ben: How should our cultural relationship to monarchy change following the accession of Charles III?

Justine: King Charles III, the Queen Consort and the whole of the Royal family are longstanding patrons and passionate supporters of the arts and culture.

King Charles III is patron of the Museum of London and Kew Gardens, the Queen Consort is patron of the London Library and the London Chamber Orchestra, the Prince of Wales is patron of BAFTA and the Football Association and the Princess of Wales is patron of the National History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. I am confident that support and patronage from the Royal family will continue and deepen under the reign of King Charles III.

Ben: What would you say distinctively characterises Gen Z culture?

Justine: I’m not a big fan of labels, but I guess for people born from the mid-90s onwards, digital technology was always a given whereas, for previous generations, we’ve been learning as we go along. So I would say the level of digital literacy sets Gen Z apart. I also think this generation are also much more socially engaged – very committed to tackling the climate crisis and social injustice.

Ben: How would you like London culture to be different three years from now?

Justine: Now you’re asking! I would like to see London firing on all cylinders as a world-class, dynamic, diverse cultural capital. I am super excited at the prospect of going to East Bank in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, to see a show at the New Sadler’s Wells, a gig at the new BBC, a fashion show at London College of Fashion or an exhibition at the new V&A.

I would like to see a recognition of the important role London plays economically and culturally for the nation - if London thrives, the UK thrives too - and see investment in London’s culture protected so the capital can play it’s full role in driving our recovery.

I would like artists and creatives to be able to put down roots in all corners of the capital. I would like to see all the talented young people in our city access the opportunities and careers they deserve in the creative industries. Finally, I would like the cultural world to mirror the demographics of London – a step change in representation at all levels, behind the scenes and in front.

Follow Justine Simons OBE @justinesimons1 and the Mayor’s Culture team @LDN_Culture

For more about the Mayor of London’s Arts and Culture Programme visit london.gov.uk