The Africa Centre is looking for creative talent to assist with the design of the interior of its new headquarters in Southwark, the heart of multi-cultural London.

Established in 1964, the charity has a long and proud history of championing the cause for Africa and its diaspora. Its mission is to educate about, connect to, and advocate for the continent. It was originally located at 38 King Street in Covent Garden, London and moved to its present location in 2016. Work on the refurbishment of Gunpowder House, a four-storey former office block on Great Suffolk St, is currently underway with expected completion of Phase 1 in autumn of 2021.

The Africa Centre is committed to working with and seeking to empower the diverse communities which it serves, in a meaningful way. It has a bold ambition to deliver a welcoming and authentic Pan-African experience through the fabrics, furniture and artwork embedded in its flagship building’s internal spaces. It is against this backdrop that the charity is inviting expressions of interest from talented and experienced individuals or organisations based on the African continent or its diaspora to assist with the curation of the interiors of its new home. From innovative craftspeople in the remotest parts of the continent to interior design agencies and African or Caribbean furniture traders in Africa’s global diaspora, the Africa Centre is keen to hear from and to connect with you.

It is important that the organisation not only delivers and facilitates activities that promote and support Africa and its diaspora, but that it does so within an innovative and sustainable environment. This is in line with The Africa Centre’s ambition to be the global home for contemporary African culture and heritage in London.

Submissions are therefore invited from individuals or organisations that are based in or have strong connections to Africa. Interested parties must have a proven track record of making or ethically procuring high quality African-inspired furniture, textiles, or craft. The Centre is also keen to hear from designers who specialise in the curation and styling of distinctive African experiences or spaces.

Potential partners must have the drive, experience, and capacity to handle the challenging but rewarding elements of this project.

Please submit your expressions of interest to: [email protected] together with details of your specialism and experience and examples of your work or a link to your portfolio.