STUDIO VOLTAIRE IS THIRTY

Studio Voltaire plays a crucial role in increasing accessibility and opportunities, specifically for artists with limited financial means or those experiencing barriers within their careers, and via deep-rooted civic programmes working with local communities.

Studio Voltaire was founded in 1994 by a group of local artists and creatives who set up studios in response to the lack of affordable provision in the area. As well as providing affordable workspace, the building hosted a range of self-organised exhibitions, symposiums, open studios and parties. Three decades since, we have grown from a local artist-run collective to an influential and celebrated organisation, making a vital and unique contribution to the local and international arts ecology.

Supporting artists at key stages, we commission artists’ first major exhibitions in London or premier work by international artists to UK audiences for the first time. We provide artists with time, care and resources to create ambitious work. From a giant puppeteered charging bull to a functioning chapel dedicated to Oscar Wilde, we commission, fund, and produce a wide range of art forms, including moving-image, performance, painting, digital, sculpture, installation, sound and non-object-based practice.

Our commissions are instrumental in raising artists’ profiles both locally and internationally, often resulting in significant public and museum–level attention. We have supported breakthrough commissions by artists including Nairy Baghramian (2009), Phyllida Barlow (2010), Danielle Braithwaite-Shirley (2024), Judith Bernstein (2014), Sol Calero (2015), Gabriel Chaile (2023), Monster Chetwynd (2005), Anne Collier (2014), Thea Djordjadze (2007), Sunil Gupta (2022), Sharon Hayes (2016), Nicole Eisenman (2012), Liam Gillick (2004), Judith Hopf (2009), Jamian Juliano-Villani (2014), Nnena Kalu (2020), Sanya Kantarovsky (2015), Ella Kruglyanskaya (2014), McDermott & McGough (2018), Shahryar Nashat (2011), Henrik Olesen (2009), Paulina Olowska (2009), Elizabeth Price (2006), Charliotte Prodger (2012), Richard Slee (2012), Amelie von Wulffen (2017), Cathy Wilkes (2009) and Rehana Zaman (2013).

We have also gained an international reputation for presenting influential archival and survey exhibitions of overlooked figures, including Scott Covert, Maeve Gilmore, Jo Spence, William Scott and The Neo Naturists, including the current exhibition, Beryl Cook / Tom of Finland exhibition, pairing these two cultural icons for the first time - our most visited exhibition in our history.

— SANYA KANTAROVSKY

“I am deeply proud to have done a show at Studio Voltaire, which remains one of the most exciting and singular art institutions in London if not Europe. It is so rare to come across an institution of such intellect, largesse, and simultaneously a simple open heart and spirit. Studio Voltaire has always marched to the tune of its own drum, trusting artists rather than following the structures of taste, power and manufactured consent that have sadly become standard in this industry.”

Since our inception, Studio Voltaire has provided sustained and affordable workspace for hundreds of artists including Sonia Boyce, Monster Chetwynd, Lubna Chowdhary, Enrico David, Kaye Donachie, Anthea Hamilton, Rene Matić, Bod Mellor and Daniel Sinsel. Directly tackling the current city-wide loss of artists’ studios, we support 51 onsite artists with subsidised studios, new production facilities and bespoke professional development programmes. Our onsite community of artists and cultural tenants include some of the UK’s most exciting artists, curatorial collectives and arts organisations.

Our well-structured and fully supported residencies allow artists vital space to develop their practice, hone new skills, take risks, produce new work, broaden their professional and creative networks and increase confidence. Artists in residence have included Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley (2023), Gabriel Chaile (2023), Olga Grotova (2022), Sunil Gupta (2020), Mary Reid Kelley and Patrick Kelley (2019), Sol Calero (2015), Judith Bernstein (2014), Nicole Eisenman (2012), Erika Verzutti (2009), Nairy Baghramian (2009) and Thea Djordjadze (2007).

Our means-tested studio award, in partnership with LOEWE, directly increases accessibility and opportunities, specifically for artists with limited financial means.

Directly responding to local needs, our influential Civic and Learning Programmes collaborate closely with artists, schools, health organisations and community groups to test new ways that artists and communities can work together. Harnessing the transformative power of creativity, culture and learning, our deep-rooted and long–term projects have collaboration at their core.

Our Civic Programmes provide sites for communities and artists to meet, research, collaborate, learn and create new work, including major projects with Barby Asante, Sunil Gupta, Monster Chetwynd, Raju Rage, Ed Webb-Ingell, They Are Here, Rehana Zaman and Jay Bernard. Our wide-ranging, long-term and ambitious projects, partnerships and support structures contribute to the cultural life of the city, and in particular to the local life of South London. Our National Rainbow Plaques scheme, in partnership with The Mayor of London, highlights the importance of intersectional LGBTQIA+ visibility in our streets and public spaces.

Our Learning Programmes, developed in direct response to the chronic defunding of arts provision, and the growing lack of opportunities for arts activities within schools, work to broaden access to art and creativity and provide a much-needed alternative site for intergenerational learning. We work closely with local primary and secondary schools, colleges, universities, youth groups, community groups and teachers to support people to learn about themselves, others, and the world we live in.

— MARIA BALSHAW, DIRECTOR OF TATE

"Studio Voltaire has developed a programme that is, in my opinion, unparalleled in significance in any institution of their scale. Studio Voltaire's programme and support for artists at such crucial moments in their careers is so admirable and has enriched the British art scene so much for the better. I always look to them to see what is exciting and dynamic in the London scene and they are a fantastic champion for artists and for our sector."

Working across London, we commission artists to work in new social and cultural contexts, providing new opportunities for people to encounter inspiring art on their doorsteps. We have presented world-class artworks in hospitals, on street corners, on billboards, at bus stops, across London Underground stations, in a cemetery and in established heritage sites. Last year, our public projects reached audiences of 1.9 million people.

We have a strong history of working with artists on ambitious and inspiring public commissions, including Phyllida Barlow, Monster Chetwynd, David McDiarmid, Sharon Hayes, Anthea Hamilton and Nicholas Byrne, Nnena Kalu, Bod Mellor, William Scott, Joanne Tatham and Tom O’Sullivan, and Edward Thomasson.

— PHYLLIDA BARLOW CBE RA

“Without doubt, Studio Voltaire is an exceptional organisation that provides a much–needed and distinctive position within UK culture and is a great benefit to all who encounter it.”

Successive cuts in public funding via Arts Council England, the ongoing effects of Brexit, and the cost-of-living crisis mean our charity is in a very difficult funding landscape.

Despite the significant expansion of our studio provision and programming completed in 2021, our level of public funding via Arts Council England has remained static for over 15 years. Public funding now comprises just 4% of Studio Voltaire’s annual turnover, while the majority of peer organisations receive 25-50% of their turnover from the public purse. 

At a time when funding and opportunities are steadily decreasing, Studio Voltaire's well-established role as a vital platform at a crucial moment in their artistic journeys is more important today than ever.

By donating to The Studio Voltaire Future Fund, you will make a vital and long-term contribution to the future and sustainability of Studio Voltaire. Your support will make a vital difference to the support we can offer artists and communities by deeply expanding our much-needed programmes.

The Studio Voltaire Future Fund will secure our continued development and exciting future. Donations of any size are welcome and make a difference. If preferable, pledged donations can be paid over a period of time.