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Our impact

The artists we work with deliver a public programme in return for using the space. As we prioritise local creatives to each site, the creatives and events they put on reflect the interests of the local community. These can be workshops, talks, performances that are free to attend.

When culture is in an empty shop, it can create a sense of ownership and belonging. People that do not feel culture is for them feel more welcome in our spaces than in a traditional gallery that can feel daunting or exclusive.

our cultural partners

Arnolfini
Hammerson
Ikon
Museum of the Home
Royal Academy
tate

Our Team decides which projects get matched with each space.
We often invite a local cultural institution, council, or even sometimes the landlord to be part
of the selection committee to ensure the selected candidate is most beneficial
& interesting to the local community.

Gary Topp
Executive Director
Arnolfini, Bristol

‘It was great to offer some local support to Hypha as they developed this exciting opportunity for artist studios in Knowle. Bristol has an amazing ecology of artists and the response to the call out was very strong. I’m sure the resident artists will make a strong contribution to the city as they develop their practice, get to know each other, and work with local communities. Congrats to Hypha for making this happen.’

Catherine Wood
Curator of International Art
Tate Modern

‘Securing support for emerging artists and creative practitioners is especially challenging right now. This new project by Hypha Studios is innovative and timely, providing both much needed space to work and also visibility. The standard of applications was very impressive and demonstrates the urgent need for initiatives of this kind to help nurture artistic talent across the UK.’

Melanie Pocock
Curator
Ikon Birmingham

‘Hypha Studios are doing excellent and much-needed work, reaching out to artists and inviting them to use empty spaces for residencies and projects. I’m excited to see how artists such as Dion Kitson will rejuvenate these spaces through their unique creative perspective.’

what artists say about us

Lee Johnson

Lee Johnson

East Village

“Thank you so much for coming to the opening of the show, and for all your helping leading me up to that point. It was a great experience, myself and all the participating artists got so much out of it, and it was really well attended. Thank you for providing this platform for artists, and I hope other artists who use your spaces are as appreciative and grateful as I am!”
Meghana Gavireddy

Meghana Gavireddy

Sugar House Island

“Thank you so much for this opportunity. It’s been a great experience for all of us, and we got to meet so many artists and people in the community which was such a pleasure. This is an amazing initiative, thank you all for making this happen. We’ll come by for the openings of future shows.”
Camille Joy

Camille Joy

Euston

“The space was incredible, the location was great, the starter pack for curating was so very helpful, albeit sometimes daunting! Hypha were lovely to liaise with and I really was happy how quickly Camilla responded to my questions. It was so easy and efficient working with her. Being able to create our own exhibition hours was also beneficial. I have to say things worked very well for us, it was great to have the independence to curate and run the show as we wanted and have the guidance of Hypha when needed.”
Jane Lee

Jane Lee

Sugar House Island

“Thank you for giving us the opportunity to exhibit with you. All our participants and attendees were very pleased with this experience! Again, it was such a pleasure to work with your team. I really hope we can collaborate again!”

council endorsements

Camden Borough Council

Camden Borough Council

James Barrell, Principal Regeneration Officer

“Our collaboration with Hypha Studios on the Kentish Town Collective has been instrumental in realising Camden Council’s vision for a vibrant Neighbourhood Space. Hypha Studios has adeptly transformed the former cinema at 2 Prince of Wales Road into a dynamic hub, providing free artist studio spaces and a crucial ‘Civic Action Lab’ test space. This initiative is fostering invaluable community connections and supporting our efforts to shape the future of Kentish Town, encouraging new voices and creative social action.”

Ashford Borough Council

Ashford Borough Council

Chris Dixon, Arts Culture & Heritage Manager

“We are delighted that Hypha Studios has brought something truly transformative to Ashford. By reimagining a huge empty office unit at Eureka Park into a vibrant creative hub, they’ve not only provided much needed rehearsal and making space for local artists but also sparked a wider conversation about the role of culture in placemaking. It’s a great feeling to give local theatre and arts practitioners a space to create new work. These two collectives, each with distinct voices and practices, now share a creative home where collaboration can flourish. The space now feels alive with possibilities! Hypha’s influence and efficient model demonstrates the power of culture-led regeneration. It has shown what is possible when private landlords, councils, charities and communities think differently about space. We look forward to keep showcasing this model to other landlords in the area, with the aim that all empty commercial space, where possible, is maximised for creative and community use.”

community impact

East Village

East Village

Hypha Gallery

“I enjoyed having a free cultural event to attend in the area. I just happened upon the exhibition while out and about. It was a pleasant experience and gave me the opportunity to experience something new.”

“Can this happen again? It’s so great to have this on our doorstep”

“Anxiety over attending alone was alieviated by the friendliness of the artists. Felt comfortable and confident to enjoy the workshop.”

Battersea

Battersea

Hypha Studio

“I live in the neighbourhood and attended the event. It’s really great to have a community of creatives next door and being able to engage in activities together and meet likeminded people during the workshop”

“I enjoyed both what I learnt and meeting the participants especially the young woman who had broken her foot and was delighted to have discovered the workshop near where she lived”

“I learnt practical skills in metalpoint, weaving and also the different styles and historical traditions about these”

Reading

Reading

Hypha Gallery

“We came away from the evening feeling the positive impact and feeling confident in our crafting abilities, the art of experimentation, and having forged new friendships through this easy-going, easily financially and geographically accessible community space. Thank you so much! ”

“The Open Collective team were so warm, welcoming and encouraging through the whole workshop, and to be in an environment at Hypha Studios, surrounded by the thought-provoking exhibition pieces was a source of inspiration. We travelled from London to Reading for this event, and the journey was beyond worth it.”

Bristol

Bristol

Hypha Project Space

“What a lovely space – warm and caring intimate atmosphere!”

“A super fun evening. Can’t wait for the next one!”

“The atmosphere was so chill and nice. I feel like I could get up and do something at the next one, and I have no idea what I’d do!”
“Best open mic I’ve been to in a while. Such a good vibe.”

Delivering social
impact

We have seen the powerful effect that art and cultural engagement can have in communities. The arts foster community ownership, cohesion, and a sense of pride, and where communities have fewer economic resources the arts create social capital and support equitable development.  Individuals benefit from attending and participating in cultural programmes and activities.


Effects of which can be seen as:
 Engagement, energy and tension, concentration, captivation, absorption
Personal resonance, emotional connection, empathy, inspiration
Learning, thinking, provocation, challenge, intellectual stimulation
Aesthetic growth, discovery, aesthetic validation, creative stimulation
Social connectedness, sense of belonging, shared experience, 
social bridging, social bonding

Creative solutions for empty
council assets

We work with Councils to find creative solutions to empty assets. Instead of expensive security guards or leaving properties to ruin, we can occupy with undiscovered talent within your borough – that have public events to serve the local communities. We work with you to make sure your neighbourhoods are best served.