People
Meet the Dockers: Carlton Fontaine-Nowell
Carlton Fontaine-Nowell is a rising producer and creative talent whose passion for production, photography, video editing, and storytelling led him to apply for the Creative Newham Cultural Producers Programme. After a competitive selection process, he was successfully shortlisted and is now working as a Trainee Cultural Producer with the Royal Docks Culture and Activation Team.
As part of the Meet the Dockers series, Carlton tells us about the programme, his dynamic role, and his aspirations for the future.
When I heard about the Creative Newham Cultural Producers Programme, I knew it was for me! The programme offers an exciting opportunity for Newham residents aged 18 to 30 with cultural or arts-related experience to work in the creative industry. This six-month paid placement provides hands-on training in creating cultural events, along with mentoring, workshops, and additional professional development.
I'm currently on placement with the Royal Docks Culture and Activation Team, led by Kate Anderson, Head of Cultural Programme and Partnerships. Our team works to bring the Royal Docks Cultural Placemaking Strategy to life, showcasing the area as a vibrant destination with culture and community at its heart.
During my placement, I collaborated with other cultural producers on the programme to design and deliver three interactive stalls for Sustainable Newham's Green Fair. The stalls — Town Crier, Groovy Newham, and Build a Borough, offered a range of activities including storytelling, dance, and arts and crafts, ensuring there was something for everyone. They were really well received by visitors and even described by the Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz, as “bringing the fair to life”.
My placement has recently been extended and it’s fantastic timing especially with such a big cultural year ahead for the Royal Docks, particularly with the upcoming biannual festival At the Docks and Royal Docks Originals.
Taking place June to September, At the Docks offers a fantastic season of arts, culture, waterside activities, and family-friendly events. One of the many highlights is the Royal Docks Summer Splash, an open water lido which even has a shallow area for children. This free, family-friendly experience includes lifeguard-supervised open water swimming, sand pits, deckchairs, fun daytime activities for kids, plus a lively evening programme for adults.
Then launching 15 September, Royal Docks Originals (RDO) is a biennial festival that celebrates the culture, heritage, and people of the Royal Docks and Newham. It features world-class arts, new installations, and performances, showcasing the area's unique land and waterscape and reflecting the theme of metamorphosis.
I’ve been involved in some amazing projects for RDO as part of the team, including the Creative Workspace Programme, which shines a light on the creative spaces across the Royal Docks and makes their work more visible to the local community. The programme will include open house tours, an RDO Edition of the Royal Victoria Docks market, a community day at Royal Albert Wharf and much more!
Together with Sofia Tomic who is also on a Cultural Producer placement with the Royal Docks team, we’ve been working on the Our Docks documentation project. The project is an intimate visual depiction of the people, places, and processes behind the Royal Docks Originals Festival. Using a range of outputs, it will showcase the key interpersonal moments of our team, partners and communities who are all working in collaboration to bring the festival to life. Our Docks will take place at the Festival Hub in the Pumphouse, near City Hall, and will offer plenty of ways for festival goers to get creative. Highlights include a zine-making workshop on 27 September, as well as the chance for visitors to share their festival photos for inclusion in an online photo album on the Royal Docks website.
Honestly, if someone had told me two years ago that I’d be working at City Hall helping to create such meaningful cultural experiences for the community, I probably wouldn’t have believed them!
The Creative Newham Cultural Producers Programme has been a great opportunity for both personal growth and professional development. I’d definitely recommend it to other young creatives. I’m gaining a clearer understanding of my strengths and building the skills to thrive in any team or maybe even to work for myself one day!
