What We Do
We work to make the arts and creative industries more accessible to all
“The Bernie Grant Arts Centre is both a gift and necessity to the community, to Tottenham, to Haringey, to London and the nation.” Lemn Sissay MBE
Bernie Grant Arts Centre is a unique multi-art form venue in Tottenham, North London, inspired by the vision of the late Bernie Grant MP to create a flagship performing arts centre that would become a home for diverse artists, audiences and creative businesses. Opened in 2007, our iconic building, designed by the acclaimed, multi-award winning architect, Sir David Adjaye, is a landmark on Tottenham High Street. Our venue includes a 250 seat auditorium, a gallery, 3 multi-use rehearsal studios, 20 creative workspaces, and a café.
We have a vision for a world where Black-led work is given space, status and a chance to thrive. Our multi-artform venue is one of only dedicated platforms for Black-led creative practice. We hold an open space for Black artists to develop, create, explore, and experiment; investing in the creativity of Black artists. Our bold, ambitious programme platforms Black-led practice across theatre, dance, performance, literature, music and the visual arts; underpinned by community, learning, and outreach to ensure benefits are embedded in our local communities.
We understand the impacts of inequality and marginalisation through our own lived experience: BGAC is a black, female, queer, locally-led organisation.
Vision, Mission, Values
Vision
● We want a world where Black led work is given space, status and a chance to thrive.
● We believe in a world in which Black artists, creatives and performers no longer have to fight to have their stories made.
Mission
The Bernie Grant Arts Centre develops and presents new and cutting edge multi-disciplinary work, prioritising Black artists and Black-led work in our programming and commissioning. We invest in the creativity of Black artists, developing new audiences for their work and providing valuable career opportunities that support a diverse pipeline of artistic talent for our country.
Our community and engagement work is at the heart of who we are. Because we focus on Black led work we are able to create meaningful, authentic engagement within our local communities that aims to inspire, provoke and bring joy.
Values
● We value the Black lived experience and believe everybody has the right to tell their story.
● We work in partnership and value co-creation, with unity comes power.
● We value our communities, our engagement practices are community led and empower those in our locality.
● We value Black artists at all stages of their career and believe in progression and opportunities at levels, stages and honouring the intersections of gender, sexuality, disability, and poverty
● We believe all oppression is connected and are truly intersectional in our artistic approach