A new arts space and public roof garden has launched at Peveril Garden, Bricklayers Arms.
Peveril Garden Studios is a new arts space created by Southwark Council and operated by Forma
The studios have been created by converting and refurbishing a 1960s, modernist building on Great Dover Street, which was previously used for garages.
Commissioned by Southwark Council, the light-filled building includes a new headquarters for Forma Arts Media; five affordable artist studios; a residency space for visiting international artists; an event space and room for a café and bookshop.
The rooftop has been converted into a new garden for both the public and the residents of nearby Peveril House. Currently, the gardens are open to the public during office hours with weekend access starting later this summer.
Forma is a successful contemporary art organisation, funded by Arts Council England. This new HQ, coupled with the new studios, will enable Forma to support emerging and established artists by providing work and exhibition space (as well as space for cultural events in the rooftop garden).
Forma has been given a ten-year lease to operate the studios and will use the rental income to create a two-year Fellowship for an emerging curator to develop a meaningful, cultural engagement programme for local residents and young people.
Cllr Helen Dennis, Southwark’s Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency and Sustainable Development said:
“I’m delighted to welcome Forma Arts to Southwark.
Bricklayers Arms is a central London location which links two areas in transition. Huge investment is going into both the Elephant and Castle and Old Kent Road neighbourhoods to ensure that they can serve the needs of their communities for generations to come.
The arts and creative sector will have a big role to play in this, especially during life after COVID, as we start to get back on our feet. Organisations such as Forma, which can provide space for local people to enjoy and engage with the arts, right on their own doorstep, are exactly what we need.
I’m particularly pleased that this project has given new purpose to an old building and revitalised a rooftop garden which can now be enjoyed both by the public and residents of Peveril House, alike.”
Having consulted with the residents of Peveril House, Southwark Council worked with the Mayor of London to raise funds for the project, which included a grant from the Mayor’s Good Growth Fund. Curator, Aldo Rinaldi was commissioned to provide artistic direction and helped recruit Sanchez Benton Architects alongside artist, Gabriel Kuri, designer, Nigel Dunnett and the operator, Forma.
Forma received £100,000 from Arts Council England’s Small Capital Grants fund. It also received £18,000 in the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund: Capital Kickstart (administered by Arts Council England) to fit out the ground floor spaces in an as accessible and environmentally sustainable way as possible.
Peveril Garden Studios was officially launched by Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair of Arts Council England, yesterday (20 July).
The affordable artist studios will open in August and the café and bookshop will follow later in the year.
Find out more about Forma
Find out more about the refurbishment of Peveril Garden
