Bishopsgate People: Bishopsgate Institute CEO Francesca Canty
Francesca Canty is the Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Bishopsgate Institute, a role in which she has been instrumental in steering the organisation through challenging times.
Bishopsgate Team member Councillor Tom Sleigh sat down with Francesca to discuss the history and current mission of the Institute, a charity established to help provide education and relief to East Londoners, whose purpoose today is to provide spaces and activities that help bring people and communities together.
Beyond her leadership at Bishopsgate, Francesca is known for her diverse interests. On social media, she describes herself as a “dancer, pedant, producer and showgirl,” with passions ranging from guinea pigs to defending great white sharks. She was also recognized among 100 women awarded the Freedom of the City of London, highlighting her contributions to the city’s cultural landscape.
The Bishopsgate Institute is one of London’s hidden gems—a place where history, culture, and learning come together under one roof. Since opening in 1895, it has been a hub for curious minds, offering free access to knowledge, radical ideas, and inspiring stories. Founded by social reformer William Rogers, the Institute was created to give people from all walks of life a space to learn, explore, and engage with big ideas. Its stunning Arts and Crafts building, designed by Charles Harrison Townsend, is worth a visit in itself, but the real treasures lie inside.
Today, Bishopsgate Institute is home to an incredible archive covering everything from London’s social history to LGBTQ+ activism, protest movements, and forgotten voices from the past. It also hosts a packed program of talks, performances, and courses—whether you want to dive into history, brush up on politics, or even take a tango class! With its welcoming atmosphere and commitment to sharing untold stories, it’s a place where anyone with a curious mind can feel right at home.
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