
How it works
The Ideas Kitchen is where great ideas become great projects.
It’s where local people pitch ideas to their neighbours who vote for the project they’d like to see happen in their area.
You can get involved whether you have an ideas to share, or simply want to support creative projects in your local area.

STEP ONE
If you have a creative idea that will benefit communities in Waltham Forest (Chingford, Highams Park, Leyton, Leytonstone or Walthamstow), then we want to hear from you! Every idea submitted will be read by the Apex Arts Board who will invite four people to pitch their ideas to a live audience at the next Ideas Kitchen.
STEP THREE
Everyone that attends The Ideas Kitchen will be asked for a suggested donation of £5 which will give them a hot meal made locally, and the opportunity to vote on the idea that they like the most. Voting is done secretly and the winner will be announced on the night.
STEP FIVE
The winner will stay in touch with everyone who voted for them on the night and will be invited back to a future Ideas Kitchens to share how they get on.
STEP TWO
If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to pitch to a live audience made up of friends, family and local people who want to support creative ideas and people in their local community. This may sound a little daunting but don’t worry, we will run a pitching masterclass with the shortlist to help them prepare!
STEP FOUR
The project with the most votes gets £500 funding, plus all the money donated on the door, which will be doubled by Apex Arts. So in total, you could walk away with up to £1,500 plus mentoring from the Barbican and support to make your idea happen.