Help QUEERCIRCLE open vital LGBTQ cultural space
HELP US TO OPEN VITAL CULTURAL, SAFE SPACE FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
In the midst of a formative year for the UK, QUEERCIRCLE is looking to the future with the launch of a new permanent cultural space in the pioneering Design District. Working at the intersection of arts, culture and social action, our groundbreaking community-focused programme will champion the arts and strengthen links between culture, health and wellbeing.
Evolving out of a need for a new cultural space, QUEERCIRCLE have secured an affordable 2,800 sqft site designed by David Kohn Architects for a minimum of five years. The new site will house a main gallery, a library and project spaces to deliver a diverse programme of exhibition commissions and collaborative artist residencies to support LGBTQ+ artists at pivotal stages in their career; and year-long learning and participation opportunities for the local and LGBTQ+ community.
Having secured an affordable space, we hope to foster an ecology of artists, curators, writers, thinkers, community organisers, grassroots organisations and charities who collectively work together to build a stronger, more creative and collaborative community. In doing so, we hope to create a site of radical change that encourages us to critically think - and unthink - to create new visions, and build a boundless culture of learning.
BUT NOW WE NEED YOUR HELP
We as LGBTQ+ people often talk about the importance of chosen family, and it's just as significant for us as a new LGBTQ+ led charity. To ensure we can open this vital space later this year, we need the support of our community, which is why we're launching a campaign to raise £40,000.
Whether you donate the cost of a cup of coffee or join as one of our founding patrons, your support will ensure we can open this vital cultural space for the LGBTQ+ community.
And by gift aiding your donation, we'll receive an additional 25% at no extra cost to you.
If you can't donate at this time, we understand. Please consider supporting us by sharing our campaign .
FOUNDING PATRONS BENEFACTOR PACKAGES
Anyone donating £250 + will automatically receive patron benefits.
£250 - CHANGEMAKER
£500 - FRIEND
£1,000 - COMMUNITY PATRON
£2,500 - PROGRAMME PATRON
£5,000 - PARTICIPATION PATRON
£10,000 - EXHIBITION & RESIDENCY PATRON
You can find more information about our founding patron schemes on our website , or feel free to contact us to discuss further.
WHY NOW?
In recent years, London has witnessed the staggering loss of artist studios, and in the last decade, over 50% of LGBTQ+ venues have closed.
The need for such a space has been exacerbated by the effects of COVID-19. A report into its impact on the LGBTQ+ community highlighted that 69% had shown depressive symptoms, rising to 90% among those who had experienced homophobia or transphobia.
Now more than ever, the LGBTQ+ community needs and deserves a place to come together; a safe space where we can continue to support one another, be creative, and create radical change. A space which inspires, tackles social isolation and supports our mental health and wellbeing.
The support we’ve secured from Arts Council England, the Greater London Authority, Artlogic, Design District, Studiomakers and Sutton PR are a testament to the need and desire for such a space and we hope you will share our vision to establish QUEERCIRCLE and join our campaign to open this vital space.
MEET THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
QUEERCIRCLE is proudly led by LGBTQ+ people. The Board of Trustees is made up of cultural leaders who are committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community including: Gemma Rolls Bentley (Curatorial Director - Artsy), Glenn Scott Wright (Director - Victoria Miro), Laura Hensser (Managing Director - Gasworks), Isaac Julien CBE (Filmmaker and Installation Artist), Louise McKinney (Business Development Strategist - a-i-r), Kudzanai Violet Hwami (Artist), Russell Tovey (Curator and Collector), Evan Ifekoya (Artist and Lecturer), William Austin (Project Manager - Outset’s Studiomakers), Jane Ryan (Lawyer - Bhatt Murphy) and Liam Rezende (Marketing Communications EMEIA - Hyatt).
SUPPORTERS
"Queercircle’s proposed targeted programme of work will also contribute to combating issues experienced during COVID-19 and play a role in supporting London with recovery. Evidence shows that during the crisis vulnerable communities, including those within the LGBTQ+ community, have experienced a sharp rise in social isolation, higher levels of anxiety and an increased risk to their mental health and wellbeing.
I am pleased to have the opportunity to express support for this project and believe that opening a high quality, dedicated space such as the one envisaged will be hugely beneficial in creating an environment where LGBTQ+ artists can be supported and thrive."
Amy Lamé, (Night Czar, Greater London Authority)
“While diversity, identity and representation become more regular topics of public debate and reflection, queer people and LGBTQ+ cultural expressions are still in need of more organised spaces and systematic ways to establish dialogues and exchange ideas. Also, with polarising discourses making it harder and harder to go beyond simplistic, dihcotomic world views, we need organisations like Queercircle to advocate complexity, nuance and multiplicity in face of ever growing political changes where communities still face injustice and discrimination.”
Isaac Julien, CBE RA (artist, filmmaker and trustee of QUEERCIRCLE)
“I’ve been inspired by queer community spaces like the LGBT centres in NYC and in San Francisco and was excited by the prospect of a safe space here in London for all members of the community to have and to use. The UK needs a solid base for allyship and safe space for all members of the community to feel welcome and to share their stories and I’m proud to support QUEERCIRCLE in their work to establish this space this year.”
Russell Tovey, (actor, writer, co-presenter of TalkArt and trustee of QUEERCIRCLE)
In the midst of a formative year for the UK, QUEERCIRCLE is looking to the future with the launch of a new permanent cultural space in the pioneering Design District. Working at the intersection of arts, culture and social action, our groundbreaking community-focused programme will champion the arts and strengthen links between culture, health and wellbeing.
Evolving out of a need for a new cultural space, QUEERCIRCLE have secured an affordable 2,800 sqft site designed by David Kohn Architects for a minimum of five years. The new site will house a main gallery, a library and project spaces to deliver a diverse programme of exhibition commissions and collaborative artist residencies to support LGBTQ+ artists at pivotal stages in their career; and year-long learning and participation opportunities for the local and LGBTQ+ community.
Having secured an affordable space, we hope to foster an ecology of artists, curators, writers, thinkers, community organisers, grassroots organisations and charities who collectively work together to build a stronger, more creative and collaborative community. In doing so, we hope to create a site of radical change that encourages us to critically think - and unthink - to create new visions, and build a boundless culture of learning.
BUT NOW WE NEED YOUR HELP
We as LGBTQ+ people often talk about the importance of chosen family, and it's just as significant for us as a new LGBTQ+ led charity. To ensure we can open this vital space later this year, we need the support of our community, which is why we're launching a campaign to raise £40,000.
Whether you donate the cost of a cup of coffee or join as one of our founding patrons, your support will ensure we can open this vital cultural space for the LGBTQ+ community.
And by gift aiding your donation, we'll receive an additional 25% at no extra cost to you.
If you can't donate at this time, we understand. Please consider supporting us by sharing our campaign .
FOUNDING PATRONS BENEFACTOR PACKAGES
Anyone donating £250 + will automatically receive patron benefits.
£250 - CHANGEMAKER
£500 - FRIEND
£1,000 - COMMUNITY PATRON
£2,500 - PROGRAMME PATRON
£5,000 - PARTICIPATION PATRON
£10,000 - EXHIBITION & RESIDENCY PATRON
You can find more information about our founding patron schemes on our website , or feel free to contact us to discuss further.
WHY NOW?
In recent years, London has witnessed the staggering loss of artist studios, and in the last decade, over 50% of LGBTQ+ venues have closed.
The need for such a space has been exacerbated by the effects of COVID-19. A report into its impact on the LGBTQ+ community highlighted that 69% had shown depressive symptoms, rising to 90% among those who had experienced homophobia or transphobia.
Now more than ever, the LGBTQ+ community needs and deserves a place to come together; a safe space where we can continue to support one another, be creative, and create radical change. A space which inspires, tackles social isolation and supports our mental health and wellbeing.
The support we’ve secured from Arts Council England, the Greater London Authority, Artlogic, Design District, Studiomakers and Sutton PR are a testament to the need and desire for such a space and we hope you will share our vision to establish QUEERCIRCLE and join our campaign to open this vital space.
MEET THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
QUEERCIRCLE is proudly led by LGBTQ+ people. The Board of Trustees is made up of cultural leaders who are committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community including: Gemma Rolls Bentley (Curatorial Director - Artsy), Glenn Scott Wright (Director - Victoria Miro), Laura Hensser (Managing Director - Gasworks), Isaac Julien CBE (Filmmaker and Installation Artist), Louise McKinney (Business Development Strategist - a-i-r), Kudzanai Violet Hwami (Artist), Russell Tovey (Curator and Collector), Evan Ifekoya (Artist and Lecturer), William Austin (Project Manager - Outset’s Studiomakers), Jane Ryan (Lawyer - Bhatt Murphy) and Liam Rezende (Marketing Communications EMEIA - Hyatt).
SUPPORTERS
"Queercircle’s proposed targeted programme of work will also contribute to combating issues experienced during COVID-19 and play a role in supporting London with recovery. Evidence shows that during the crisis vulnerable communities, including those within the LGBTQ+ community, have experienced a sharp rise in social isolation, higher levels of anxiety and an increased risk to their mental health and wellbeing.
I am pleased to have the opportunity to express support for this project and believe that opening a high quality, dedicated space such as the one envisaged will be hugely beneficial in creating an environment where LGBTQ+ artists can be supported and thrive."
Amy Lamé, (Night Czar, Greater London Authority)
“While diversity, identity and representation become more regular topics of public debate and reflection, queer people and LGBTQ+ cultural expressions are still in need of more organised spaces and systematic ways to establish dialogues and exchange ideas. Also, with polarising discourses making it harder and harder to go beyond simplistic, dihcotomic world views, we need organisations like Queercircle to advocate complexity, nuance and multiplicity in face of ever growing political changes where communities still face injustice and discrimination.”
Isaac Julien, CBE RA (artist, filmmaker and trustee of QUEERCIRCLE)
“I’ve been inspired by queer community spaces like the LGBT centres in NYC and in San Francisco and was excited by the prospect of a safe space here in London for all members of the community to have and to use. The UK needs a solid base for allyship and safe space for all members of the community to feel welcome and to share their stories and I’m proud to support QUEERCIRCLE in their work to establish this space this year.”
Russell Tovey, (actor, writer, co-presenter of TalkArt and trustee of QUEERCIRCLE)
Fundraising team: Queercircle Team (2)
Ashley Joiner
Organizer
England
QUEERCIRCLE
Beneficiary
Dominic Sylvia Lauren
Team member