A Message From SSP’s Board of Trustees
Streatham Space Project, Ever in Evolution: What we are doing and why?
After six wonderful years, we would like to announce a new chapter in Streatham Space Project’s story.
Unfortunately, after a series of unsuccessful funding bids in quick succession we, like many other organisations, are confronted by the funding challenges within the arts sector and have been forced to reconsider our model of operation for a sustainable future.
As the Chair of SSP’s Board of Trustees, I have witnessed this beloved Streatham venue at its highest of highs and lowest of lows. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit, cost of living crisis, and shrinking arts funding, we have fought tirelessly to keep our doors open, led by incredible leadership and passionate staff.
As the only remaining performing arts space in Streatham, we celebrate our neighbourhood by sharing their stories, programming eclectic events, and connecting people through free and affordable initiatives that have allowed us to become a cultural mainstay within the area.
We are exploring every conceivable way to save SSP as a cultural and community resource for the people of Streatham, and that means making some tough decisions about how we operate in the current climate. The model that has served us well is no longer sustainable and, to act responsibly, we must face the reality that to survive, we have to change.
The future of SSP
We are in the deeply saddening position of scaling back our model in order to protect the organisation for the long-term, which means that in the short-term we will have to reduce our staffing and programme.
We will be focusing solely on community, cultural, and commercial hires that will place us back into a healthy financial position. This means that we will still exist as a cultural and community space that may be hired out for events, rehearsals and educational activities, but our artistic programme cannot run as it has. We are, however, still open to funded artistic residencies, collaborations, hosting arts organisations, takeovers and whatever you can envision happening in the space.
As it stands some of our existing programme, which makes a contribution to the costs of the venue will continue - please see our What’s On page for more details.
How people can support
With your help, our journey can continue.
Most immediately, hire our spaces and have your events at SSP! This will help us build back stronger. The beauty of Streatham Space Project as a venue is that we are accessible with a fully-customisable layout! This includes a staffed stage, bar, studio and office space.
Where possible, donate and partner with us! Kind donations, partnerships and sponsorship from individuals, trusts, businesses and foundations support a sustainable Streatham Space Project. Whilst we initially focus on hires, your generous support will allow us to plan for the future too.
The wider issues
As we transition toward a sustainable model for SSP, we also mourn the troubling state of the arts across the UK.
As any person working in the arts can tell you, the increasingly hostile funding and financial climate is deeply worrying - it prevents vital stories from being told, important ideas from being explored, and reduces creativity and joy to luxuries only accessible to those who can afford them and is impacting on the next generation of theatre-makers and arts practitioners.
The State of the Arts report 2024 showed that the UK has cut arts and culture spending by 6% since 2010, making it one of the lowest levels of government spending in Europe. Comparatively Germany, France and Finland have increased their spending by up to 70% (source: Campaign for the Arts and the University of Warwick)
If you want to help arts organisations across the UK, consider joining a campaign or learning more about the industry challenges. Equity’s Stop the Cuts and save the arts and Campaign For The Arts are some of the resources available. Something needs to change, and we wait with bated breath for that day. Until then, we hope you continue to support us, the arts, and the joy it brings to our everyday lives.
The Board of Trustees would like to thank every single person who has helped make and shape SSP: the original founders, past and present members of staff, sponsors, donors, SSP members. And of course, all artists and audience members who have ever set foot into our beautiful venue. As we move on to the next chapter in our story, we encourage you all to continue supporting us, hiring us, and nurturing creativity and joy within our community.
Best wishes,
Brian Harris
Chair of the Streatham Space Project Board of Trustees