This summer, following a major £590k, six month refit and refurbishment to our award-winning offices and rehearsal room, we're finally opening our redesigned space. This will enable more Deaf and Disabled artists to produce and develop their work, build careers and share ideas.
Bradbury Studios will now be the home to three organisations. Graeae, Access All Areas and Attitude is Everything. All three organisations, creatively led or co-led by disabled people, bring a collective 100+ years experience in opening up the arts to those who otherwise would not have access.
With funding from Arts Council England, Bradbury Foundation and Foyle Foundation, our redeveloped building now offers the resources to better meet the needs of artists and organisations whilst creating a more sustainable financial future. The facility provides the following –
- More spaces to develop work: Two new small meeting spaces, with high spec tech, soft seating and meeting furniture, adjustable lighting and an induction loop; perfect for writers and directors meetings or networking via zoom.
- Respite and prayer space: A dedicated quiet and private space to manage energy levels or conduct prayer.
- Adaptability: A new larger meeting room at the front of the building can be used as a Board room or rehearsal space. When not in use, the walls to the room fold away and it becomes a large and inviting foyer – perfect for when rehearsals or conferences are in the main rehearsal room
- Affordable rehearsal space: One of the few accessible spaces of this size in London with changing rooms, shower, hoist, lighting rig, sound system, sprung floor and dance mirrors as standard.
Photo credit: Charlie Swinbourne
At the same time the redeveloped home allows Graeae to invest in its own work and in its future.
We will extend BEYOND, our artist development programme that connects theatre-makers with venues nationwide, it will expand its bank of digital resources, which comprise videos, podcasts, how-to guides and case studies on its innovative new website and it will utilise the new safe spaces for discussion, for tub-thumping activism and for creating an industry of many players.
The space will also engender closer collaboration between the three organisations that share it; creating sustainable careers for freelance artists – many of whom are multidisciplinary but are struggling to find sustained income across a range of employers.
Finally, Graeae is making space affordable to those without the infrastructure of an organisation behind them. They are offering 400+ hours room usage (including our rehearsal room) without charge to its community of independent artists. They are also offering significant discounts on any subsequent hours booked by that community.
Overall the facilities provided by the investment in Bradbury Studios address the challenges facing arts organisations, particularly those that employ many disabled artists. In so doing they don’t just support each organisation financially, they open them up to share with each other, to provide employment for freelance artists and skilled workers and offer the capability to build countless creative opportunities that will reach far beyond.
We would like to highlight some of the companies that have helped make all of this happen. Including Team Projects, Insightful Environments, New Stages LTD, BAP, FBS Consulting, WSP, ICT Partnerships, and give thanks to all the other companies and individuals that made this project a success.
Photo credit: Becky Bailey
Graeae's reopening event
Graeae Joint CEO, Kevin Walsh, says – I am so chuffed that we are able to open up this space to more artists than ever before and that another generation of theatre-makers are going to call it their home. I can’t wait to see the chaos and creativity that will be made here over the next few years and hope these changes will improve access for all.
Access All Areas Executive Director and Co-CEO, Patrick Collier says –Bradbury Studios has always been a building of ideas. With this beautiful refurb, there is now more space for more ideas to flourish. Access All Areas are so excited to see the joy, activism, and world-changing art that Deaf, Disabled, and neurodivergent artists will create in this space over the coming years. Watch (and book!) this space!
Attitude Is Everything Interim Managing Director, Paul Hawkins, says – Attitude is Everything are delighted to have moved into our new home at Bradbury Studios. We’ve received a fantastic welcome from Graeae and Access All Areas and we’re really excited to explore how we can collaborate and learn from each other over the coming years.