We’re delighted to announce our LFA Mentor Programme for 2024!
Following the success of its inaugural year, the LFA mentor programme is returning for 2024! If you’re a first-time event organiser or just keen for guidance on how to organise an event for LFA2024, we have seven mentors on hand to help you develop your idea and event for 2024.
Mentors are past event organisers and competition winners, all with different skills and backgrounds. Our goal as a Festival is to bring everyone into the conversation about our city, so we’ve partnered with some wonderful friends of LFA to provide guidance on event organisation, who can each provide a unique input into the process of organising an LFA event or creating an installation.
There will be a series of Mentor Surgeries and Workshops happening over the next few months – Key Dates for 2024 can be found here.
Our LFA Mentors Surgery days are taking place on Thursday 18 January and Thursday 22 February, from 2pm until 6pm at The London Centre. To book a slot in with one of our lovely LFA Mentors, please email info@londonfestivalofarchitecture.org with your preferred date and time, and ‘Mentor Surgery Day’ in the subject line. If you know who you’d like to speak to, let us know, otherwise tell us a little about your event and we’ll do our best to pair you up with the most relevant person.
Please make us aware of any requirements you may have for accessing the venue, or if you’re unable to meet in person.
Meet our mentors:
Clare Bond
Clare has worked with Sarah Wigglesworth Architects for 5 years, leading projects with inclusive and environmental design at the forefront. Alongside project work, Clare is SWA’s Diversity Champion, overseeing the continued development and implementation of their EDI Vision, within both architectural work, outreach and the workplace.
Tom Kendall
Tom is a designer and artist exploring plants, people and pedagogy. He is the director of Wayward and for over a decade has led them in design, project management, and overseeing community engagement and educational outreach. He teaches design and creative practice studios at the Bartlett, Middlesex and Syracuse.
Becky Lyon
Becky is an artist and researcher whose work focusses on ecology and care. She is a ranger for London National Park City supporting grassroots organisations and hoping to re-enchant the perception of urban ecology through creativity.
Julia Nicholls
Julia is an experienced communications strategist for creative companies in the built environment. An LFA organiser since 2006, she’s a trusted friend of the festival with valuable insights on how to create successful and impactful activity.
Bookings for Julia’s workshop ‘Getting the most out of your LFA experience with Julia Nicholls’ on Monday 26th February are now open. Find out more on Eventbrite.
Manasi Pophale
Manasi Pophale is a creative consultant specialising in contested heritage and decolonizing spaces. She is the Creative Director of History Speak – a London based practice that engages with community groups, heritage organisations and members of the public and explores the built environment through workshops and walking tours.
Bookings for Manasi’s workshop ‘Dismantling dominant narratives of place with Manasi Pophale‘ on Monday 11 March are now open.
David Rosenberg
David is an architect and urbanist, curator, creative producer, university teaching fellow and professional critic. He is an architecture educational tour leader and art gallery and architecture trustee whose gallery and studio – Velorose – has been involved in the LFA since its inception.
Bookings for David’s workshop ‘How to engage the public in exhibitions and tours with David Rosenberg‘ on Thursday 29 February are now open.
The first 2024 LFA Mentor Surgery is taking place on Thursday 18 January 2023. Prospective event organisers can chat through their ideas and ask questions to all of our 2023 mentors, who will be able to offer unique advice and support based on their past experiences. To find out more and how to book, email info@londonfestivalofarchitecture.org.