about the project

Is a census really the best way to find out about who lives in the UK?

What might a different kind of census be like?

Would it capture our mental state, our complex cultural identities, how connected we feel to those around us? 

In March 2021, the census for England & Wales took place but what actually is the Census: The census is a ‘snapshot of society’ organised by the Office for National Statistics every 10 years. The results of questionnaires sent to households inform the way local authorities and the government plans and funds local services including education and healthcare provision.

Many people feel alienated by government structures, or don’t want to take part – what does this mean for society?

Through research and conversation with people and organisations in the neighbourhood with a focus on our Black and People of Colour communities, multidisciplinary artist, actor, and director Anna-Maria Nabirye invites you to ask: is a census really the best way to capture information about a country’s citizens? Perhaps there is a way that population surveys can provide a more empathetic way of knowing who we are as individuals and as a community, locating information that can help to break barriers that exist between us and the institutions that serve us. 

I will hold a series of informal chats, taking place online and in real life at Afri.Co.Lab, St Leonards, as a place to poke our imaginations and capture a response.

These activities will be followed by a public sharing event online hosted by the De La Warr Pavilion on Sunday 25th April 4pm.

Join The conversation

a black and white image of the shopfront of Afri-Co-Lab. Afri-Co-Lab is painted in white across the top of the shop. A large window displays a large art work: Hope by Hattie Spice. 4 osb boards each with a letter on in H O P E.

WHAT: POP-UP Shop where you can leave your thoughts about the Census. Dream the questions you wished they would ask. And leave suggestions for cultural institutions about how they can serve you better.

WHEN: Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th April 11am - 4pm

Click HERE for more details.

a black woman with a short afro lies on floor on her side. Her arm is propping up her head, she is deep in thought. Her other hand grips a pen poised over a note book.

WHAT: A 90 minute zoom workshop to dig into the topic in more detail. 12 people max

WHEN: Tuesday 20th April 7pm-8:30pm

Wednesday 21st April 7pm-8:30pm (exclusively for Black and People of Colour)

Click Here for more information and to Book your place.

The sun is setting and leaving a orange glow on the windows of the De La Warr Pavilion. The Pavilion is a beautiful art deco building facing the sea. There are lots of large rectangle windows and a curved circular tower.

WHAT: A 90 minute open conversation with invited local panellist to share the findings and dig into what has come up and out through the project.

WHEN: Sunday 25th April 4pm

Hosted by the De La Warr Pavilion Click HERE to Book