FAQs

About us

Carnival Village Trust is a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) funded by Arts Council England to develop and promote Carnival Arts at The Trust’s two venues, The YAA Centre and The Tabernacle and to support the three Founding Partners of The Trust: The Association of Calypsonians and Soca Artists (ACASA), Ebony Steel Band Trust (Ebony) and Mangrove Community Y2K Limited (Mangrove). We also support BAS (British Association of Steelbands) as a strategic partner.
Our inspiration is primarily African Caribbean carnivals and culture, which is at its heart of Notting Hill Carnival, held locally. However, we also draw from others cultures around the world, including Brazil, which is also included as part of the carnival.

From the Caribbean invention of steelpan to recorded ‘soca’ music, there are numerous genres and sounds. Without the mas (masquerade), there is no carnival, and African-Caribbean costumes are amongst the most exciting in the world.
We mainly work with other carnival arts organisations for work which impacts the general public in many ways. We are also facilitators of workshops for all artists including school children. In addition we help with small project support for both arts organisations and carnival artists. This includes subsidised space hire for Carnival Arts organisations that meet our requirements.