One of four priorities identified by 60 cultural workers from across Brighton & Hove in an open space event in 2022, Space to Grow is a programme led by the Culture Alliance exploring how to protect Brighton & Hove’s cultural spaces for future generations, where possible in community ownership. 

Space to Grow is being driven by a working group that includes:

• Faith Dodkins & David Sheppeard, Co-Artistic Directors of The Spire
• Helen Gregory, Principle Planning Officer, Brighton & Hove City Council 
• Mat Hunter, Co-CEO of Plus X Innovation and Co-Chair of Space to Grow working group
• Adam Joolia, CEO of AudioActive and Co-Chair of Space to Grow working group
• Matt Kitson, Director of Estates, University of Brighton

Space to Grow began with the commissioning of a report into the situation of the city’s creative and cultural spaces in 2022. 

The findings recognise the clear value of the city’s cultural sector, highlight the challenges that artists and creatives face in terms of securing affordable workspace and creation space in the city, and offers clear and practical ways forward, including:

• Involving younger and under-represented artists and creatives 
• Exploring the feasibility of establishing a Creative Land Trust
• Delivering affordable workspace through the planning system 
• Improving how existing spaces are used 

Please follow this link to read the report:

Brighton & Hove: Space for Culture by We Made That

Responding to the findings, the working group’s next step has been to appoint Augarde & Partners to carry out research during Sept-Dec 2023 that will help build a business case for a Creative Land Trust for Brighton & Hove. This involves exploring the benefit to the city of securing studio and working space for artists and creatives for their sole use in perpetuity. 

To find out more, get involved in Space to Grow and to keep in touch with all our news, sign up to the Culture Allies mailing list here or contact Ella Burns at [email protected].