In 1999 Lewisham Council, partly in recognition of the growing and potential importance of the Creative Sector in the borough, commissioned Charles Landry to undertake the Lewisham Commission on Culture and Urban Development

The report catalogued the strengths of the Creative Sector in the borough and made comments on the quality of the urban realm. The report also pointed out ways in which the sector could further develop and, in the process, contribute to regeneration, environmental improvements and wealth creation in Lewisham. One of the chief practical recommendations of the report was the setting up of a “Creative Lewisham Agency” to help bring forward some of the projects and thematic developments contained in the report.

In the words of the report the agency should be:

“A light footed organisation… its style should not be to seek to accrue power, but rather like an impresario… generate ideas, assess feasibility, trigger and help launch initiatives, seek synergies and in doing so devolve and sub contract wherever possible”.

Since its inception in December 2001 the Agency has sought to develop, in any way appropriate, the scale and level of activity of the creative sector in Lewisham and brings its resources to bear on a range of projects that seek to improve the liveability of the borough.

All this work is aimed to build on the specific strengths of the borough as outlined in the report - making Lewisham the best place to “live, work and learn" in London, but also the best place to be creative in. If the creative sectors full potential is realised in the borough it will not only affect those who work in that sector but will also positively improve the lives of all Lewisham residents bringing sustainable regeneration, an enhanced urban environment and increased opportunities for all.

The Agency’s work is divided across four strategic areas and addresses the four aims listed below- (these aims are parallel and complementary to the aims laid out in the boroughs Cultural Strategy).