Description: The Tower Hamlets Arts Project (THAP) was formed in 1976 out of protest to the Thames Television ‘Eyesights’ scheme which commissioned professional artists to create posters for display in the borough, rather than investing in local arts projects. A crowded public meeting in February 1975 called for an alternative, bolder plan, bringing together existing and fledgling arts activities under a coordinating body to be called the Tower Hamlets Arts Project (THAP). The purpose was to create opportunities for everyone to participate in community art. THAP celebrated their achievements with a month-long ‘Big Show’ at the Whitechapel Art Gallery.

A black-and-white handheld recording of musical performances by the local youth in Tower Hamlets. The camera is initially positioned above the stage, in the wings of a theatre. It captures the marching band coming on stage; they perform, the crowd cheers. The camera zooms in at various points on stage.

The camera cuts to a white wall before cutting to a recording of a Horns band performance with roughly 10 members. The performance is filmed from the audience below the stage. We hear contemporary popular instrumental music. Finally, we see a very fuzzy image of a solo wind instrument performance.