Canal Dream CIC

Dream Story

Canal Dream is a non-profit arts and cultural organisation connecting emerging creatives with London’s historic canals. We position creativity as a catalyst for canal regeneration and social innovation. We use waterways and boats as platforms to curate site-specific arts and culture programmes that support underrepresented young artists, underserved canal communities, and the more-than-human environment. Beyond the arts, we collaborate with cross-sector partners to co-create a waterway-based social innovation network.

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Our vision is to transform London’s historic canals into a living cultural corridor, a shared space for regeneration, creative practice, and community connection.

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As a purpose-driven social enterprise, Canal Dream responds to structural challenges facing the UK’s waterways, including low youth engagement and a lack of diversity. Through art and culture, we bring together diverse stakeholders to build shared visions and long-term collaboration across the water.

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Canal Dream began in 2021 as a graduation project by Chuntian Hu at the Royal College of Art MA Service Design Programme, and was officially registered as a Community Interest Company in 2023.