‘Making art accessible to everyone’: Brixton House fights back against arts cuts with focus on community

The rug has been pulled out from beneath many of the capital’s arts organisations, but one South London theatre is fighting back.

Brixton House stands five storeys tall in the centre of Coldharbour Lane, moments away from Brixton Market and surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the vibrant South London neighbourhood. 

The distinctive venue hosts a jam packed programme of theatre and art, offering an accessible platform to both established and up and coming artists.

Lewisham born Ruth Hawkins, 38, executive creative producer at Brixton House, has dedicated the past few years of her life supporting the venue to become a cultural hot spot that celebrates Brixton’s community.

Speaking to the South London Press, Ms Hawkins said: “A lot of what we do is about building trust in Brixton – we are a big new building and it can be quite daunting.

“We’re constantly learning and moving in a direction that means we are reflecting our community.

“Brixton is evolving but it is also one of the few areas in London that has truly retained its rich legacy and history.”

Opened in 2021, Brixton House has two theatres, seven rehearsal rooms and a café and bar open to the public throughout the day.

Amidst her busy planning agenda, Ms Hawkins has played a key role organising the successful Housemates Festival for its third year, which will run from September 24 to October 12.

For three weeks, organisers will hand over the keys to the building to new theatre, dance, spoken word and comedy acts in a festival which platforms new work to celebrate stories by independent artists and freelancers.

Ms Hawkins said: “The main driver for me is about making art accessible to everyone.

“Not just through ticket prices but sector wide – we offer cheaper previews and special offers for people who live in the area.”

Cash strapped councils across England cut funding for arts, theatres and museums last year – the first time local authority spending on the sector dropped since before the Covid pandemic.

Figures published by the central government in September 2023, revealed that although forecast spending on “cultural and related services” rose to a seven-year high, the sub category of “culture and heritage” saw a real terms drop of £60million.

Despite this unstable landscape, Brixton House has managed to not only survive but to thrive, more than 45,000 audiences and participants in the last two years after relocating from Ovalhouse in Vauxhall.

Ms Hawkins said: “When we moved, people assumed our Ovalhouse audience would come with us, but we started from scratch. 

“At the same time we were left with the fall out of Covid which had a huge impact.

“But the new building gave us more scope for multi-art forms which enabled us to host a broader range of artists whilst still having theatre as a key focus and it’s been amazing.

“The numbers show there is a desire and need for us to continue what we’re doing. 

“We work closely with Lambeth council’s culture team and now we have a new Government it will be exciting to see what investment there is.”

With more than 15 years of experience in the arts and cultural sector, working at the Royal Court Theatre, the Donmar Theatre, and the Roundhouse, Ms Hawkins has established her own strategy for programming within the arts.

She said: “Theatre and art is strongest when you collaborate – you need a strong community. 

“When developing our programmes I try not to deliver too much but really invest in what we are delivering.

“We’re always encouraging more partnerships and opportunities with local businesses and organisations.”

Brixton House’s programme for Autumn 2024 has already been announced, including a Latin American production for young audiences,  Súper Chefs on October 28.

Ms Hawkins said: “The Latin X community in Brixton is constantly growing.

“We recently trialed new captioning equipment for a show which offered Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. We’re working hard to engage communities where English might not be their first language.”

Moving forward, Ms Hawkins plans to set up an artistic advisory committee to help develop Brixton House’s programming as well as two new associate companies which will be based in Brixton House.

The companies are embedded in Brixton’s communities, one focusing on work  that equips young black men to be able to thrive in creative spaces, and one that works with the Latin American community.

Ms Hawkins said: “Brixton House is about so much more than what’s on stage but the value of existing in a space of creativity that is reflective of the community.”

Pictured top: From left, Delia Barker, chief executive of Brixton House with Ruth Hawkins, executive creative producer (Picture: Toyin Dawudu)