Cultural Space Development

In Place of War supports the creation of safe, sustainable cultural spaces that act as hubs for creativity, economic opportunity, and community resilience in places affected by conflict and exclusion. We have co-created and supported 8 spaces in conflict zones and have a network of over 50 cultural spaces across the world.

Case study: Lavender Hill, Cape Town

In Place of War fundraised and built this community youth centre from the ground up, converting shipping containers into a music studio, dance studio, multi-purpose spaces and food garden at the heart of one of Cape Town's most marginalised townships. Run by community-led organisation Rise Above Development (RAD), the centre provides a safe, supervised space for over 100 children daily (and 500+ weekly) across music production, arts, sports, education and food gardening. A preventative approach rooted in local leadership, protecting young people during the periods identified as highest risk for violence and gang recruitment.

Our wider network includes spaces like Trackside Creative in Soweto, where a former funeral parlour has become a thriving hub for over 100 artists, producers and DJs, supported with music equipment, training and #HackMusic industry connections. And cultural spaces across the West Bank in Palestine, where IPOW has provided over $300,000 of music equipment, CASE training and helped set up the Palestine Music Expo, connecting Palestinian artists with over 60 international music industry delegates.