Fun Palaces

Fun Palaces is an annual festival of culture that takes place annually over the first weekend of October. The events take place in council-owned community spaces such as libraries, shopping centers, parks and schools. Theater director Joan Littlewood and architect Cedric Price put the idea forward.

History
Joan Littlewood and the architect Cedric Price came up with the idea of the Fun Palace as one building in 1961. It was their dream to build a space where people in the community could come together to celebrate arts, science and culture. Their original blueprint said:

"Choose what you want to do – or watch someone else doing it. Learn how to handle tools, paint, babies, machinery, or just listen to your favourite tune. Dance, talk or be lifted up to where you can see how other people make things work. Sit out over space with a drink and tune in to what's happening elsewhere in the city. Try starting a riot or beginning a painting – or just lie back and stare at the sky."

The idea was inspired by pleasure gardens and working men's club's. They wanted make culture, science and education available to a broader cross section of society by creating a venue where visitors could watch performances and participate in arts and craft activities.

Councils would not donate land or give permission and they were unable to gain funding for their idea. However, in 2013 Stella Duffy and co-founder Sarah-Jane Rawlings suggested that venues and organisations in the United Kingdom create Fun Palaces of their own. The event has become an annual event that takes place every October in pop-up venues.