Our Mission

Calvert 22 is working towards ensuring its place at the forefront of cultural dialogue between the UK, Russia and Central and Eastern Europe - and its reputation as an innovator of exciting arts projects. Both young and established artists will be invited to participate in the foundation‘s dynamic exhibition programme. Exhibitions will be originated by a mixture of young and established curatorial talents - giving artists the opportunity to benefit from the vision and insight of both ‘up and coming’ exhibition organisers from Russia and Central and Eastern Europe, and experienced leading international figures.

Calvert 22 has only been running since late Spring 2009, yet it is already receiving plaudits for its innovative and ground-breaking exhibitions. An extensive programme of talks, performances and events is now underway and plans are afoot to establish an education programme that will involve communities of all ages and cultural backgrounds. The establishment of an on-site library/archive is also under construction and as progress evolves, information updates on the progress of both the education programme and library, will be released online.

Calvert 22 is deeply inspired by the rich, dynamic and diverse history of its geographical environs. For more than three centuries Shoreditch has been at the centre of the international Diaspora: from the Huguenots escaping French persecution the 18th century; to the mass-influx of Jewish refugees fleeing pogroms in Russia, Poland and Lithuania in the 19th and early 20th centuries, to the present day Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Vietnamese communities, who currently make up a large proportion of the local population. It intends to become an indispensable and integral part of Shoreditch‘s present and future as well as a landmark in the international cultural landscape.