Since Graeae’s founding in 1980, we have served the wider Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent community in the UK and beyond. Throughout the last 44 years, we have produced countless productions, workshops, and outreach programmes. We are proud to announce the next chapter of Graeae’s history. Over the past few months, Graeae has been applying for funding from Arts Council England, the Bradbury Foundation, and the Foyle Foundation. We are pleased to say that Graeae has been awarded a total of £590,000 to make improvements to our Bradbury Studios base in London, £445,000 of which is from the Arts Council Capital Investment Programme.

This funding will allow our space to continue to serve as a cultural and collaborative hub for leaders in our industry. The improvements will increase capacity making it possible for us to continue to be a home to Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent professionals within the creative industries.

When we moved into this building 15 years ago, we had no idea how it would transform the company and the way we work. In that time, we have invited over 100,000 visitors through our doors. Whether they were hiring our rehearsal space for workshops, or were one of our employees, they have been a part of our history and we hope they continue to be over the next 15 years.

Graeae is a national organisation and our building serves as the centre for all of our artists to have a space to come together and create in an environment that was built with their needs in mind. We hope that our new space not only reflects our community but encourages our staff and artists to collaborate to get their work centre stage, where it deserves to be!

The improvements will include a major redesign of the building. The office spaces will be reconfigured, and additional meeting rooms will be created to encourage collaborations within our space. There will also be a permanent respite area that can also be used as a prayer room. As always, access will be at the forefront of these changes and we are planning on improving the accessibility across all areas of the building. These changes are being made through sustainable design choices and with environmental impact in mind. This building is not only home to Graeae but also houses numerous companies through rentals throughout the year. As a result, this work is not only vital to continuing Graeae’s story but for the performance industry at large.

As the national theatre of disability, it is our responsibility to share our resources with the wider community including both individuals and organisations that share our ethos. The building will become the home of three disabled-led arts organisations for the next 15 years. We will continue to offer hiring of our rehearsal and meeting spaces to encourage growth within the arts sector.

Now, more than ever, Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent artists need to be prioritised. While we have received generous support for this project from funders, we still need your support over the coming months. Please consider becoming part of Graeae’s story, and donate to Graeae today so we can continue to create and serve our community.

Jenny Sealey OBE, Artistic Director and Joint CEO, Graeae said:

‘We are thrilled to have ACE Capital grant to change the interior of our Graeae home to allow offices, meeting rooms and rehearsal space for three disabled led arts organisations and to enable the building to become a home for many more Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists. Exciting times ahead!”

The building works will begin later this year. We cannot wait to welcome you to our new space in early 2025.