Lab XL presents Happy Hour 

In this intimate end-of-day gathering, you’re invited to unwind from your day with celebrated activist and impact leader Kevin J Patel, set in the context of Lab XL, an international leadership exchange programme between Creative Migration (LA/Bangkok) and Artsadmin (London) exploring how culture, ecology and community are interdependent and what it looks like to build systems that actually reflect that.

Too many of the most important conversations about the future of our planet happen in echo chambers. Creative Migration and Artsadmin are more interested in what becomes possible when sectors are genuinely open to each other. When culture, policy, community and ecology stop running parallel and start running together.

Kevin has spent his career building platforms for intergenerational, community-rooted leadership on ecological justice. He founded the LA County Youth Climate Commission, the first of its kind in the US, and shaped the Youth Climate Councils model now adopted by C40 cities globally. He’ll speak to that work, and the conversation will open up to the room.

This event is part of Lab XL, an international leadership exchange programme between Creative Migration (LA/Bangkok) and Artsadmin (London), supported by the British Council’s Connections Through Culture programme, taking place during London Climate Action Week 2026.

Why come?

This is a room for people who already know that the old models aren’t working and are building new ones. For funders who want to understand what genuine cross-sectoral leadership looks like on the ground. For policy people who know that numbers only tell part of the story. For artists and cultural producers who are tired of being an afterthought in conversations about the future. For community organisers who have been doing this work long before it had a name.

If you’re deep in London Climate Action Week, come find sanctuary and connect. If you’re a creative who hasn’t yet found your way into these conversations, this is your entry point.

Food & drink

Drinks at the bar from arrival. Canapes by Oitij-Jo from 7pm.