THE EXCHANGE

Our purpose

The Exchange was founded to provide Erith’s Old Library with a sustainable future. To discover what that future might look like – and to ensure its future was grounded firmly in the past - we went back to explore why the Old Library was built and what the construction of it achieved.
It was a library. And later a museum. It existed to empower the local working population through knowledge.
It was commissioned, designed and built by local people, using local materials and showcasing local crafts. Through this, the building demonstrated the power of craft to transform lives and places.
It was a place where people could come together, learn together and share together. People would use it for lectures, debates and community gatherings. It was a space for the creation of “community”.
Our purpose brings these three pillars of “Empowerment”, “Craft” and “Community” together.
“Makers” to us are all those that help us to uphold and advance these pillars, supporting us to achieve our mission and vision for Erith. You can join us too – why not get in touch?

OUR MISSION

We enable high-quality local arts + crafts production, support powerful + diverse “making communities”, and host and enable wider civic and community programmes.

OUR VISION

Erith is a beacon for empowered communities + valued community-led production.

Our guiding principles

In a word: Empowerment.
We are not satisfied with the status quo. We believe in positive change. We think in the long-term and share an ambition for a better future – for our communities and our world – that includes everyone. We believe in empowering people to be part of that change.
In a word: Community.
We see human interaction – in all its forms – as vital to progress, on a personal and societal level. Conversation and collaboration help us to better understand, recognise, and connect with those around us. For us, community is human interaction in all its diversity; whether we agree or not. It is finding a way forward.
In a word: Craft.
We believe in the power of craft. It is everywhere, and exists in every culture. It has a history of community. It’s focus on materials, design, skill, functionality, creativity and process can inform a better and more sustainable future. It is something everyone can take part in; everyone is a maker.