Brighton Dome now has a dedicated creative space for artists, it has been announced.

The space has been made possible following a grant from The Roddick Foundation and will be called Anita’s Room, in memory of Dame Anita Roddick, the activist, entrepreneur and founder of The Body Shop.

As the major restoration of the venue’s historic buildings heads towards completion, those involved in the refurbishment have said Anita’s Room will be a space where local, national and international artists and organisations can research, experiment and create “bold and courageous work”.

The space is also intended to offer opportunities for audiences to observe and learn first-hand about artistic practice. 

Anita’s Room is fully equipped with a lighting grid, mixing desk and the latest 5G technology and can accommodate up to 40 people within its main space, office and kitchen areas.

Supporting works in progress, small scale performances and events, Anita’s Room will be offered free of charge to Brighton Dome associate artists, resident artists, visiting performing artists, community participation projects and creative learning activities.

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Time slots will be allocated through an application process, with applications then reviewed and considered by a team of local artists and creative practitioners working alongside the programming team at Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival. 

The Roddick Foundation is a family-run philanthropic organisation dedicated to the support of visionary organisations and individuals demonstrating exceptional creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and courage. 

Justine Roddick, trustee of The Roddick Foundation, and daughter of Dame Anita Roddick said: “Throughout history, especially through turbulent times like these, art provides a refuge and an escape from daily hardships. 

“Art gives us hope, amplifies important messages, documents moments in time and brings us together. To imagine a world without art, theatre, books, music and film is unbearable which is why The Roddick Foundation is committed to supporting the arts and proud to support Anita’s Room at Brighton Dome.”

Andrew Comben, chief executive, Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival said: “The city has lacked dedicated spaces for artists to devise and make work and now, alongside The Dance Space and other partners, Anita’s Room will add vital infrastructure to our city’s creative sector.”

Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council said: “The culture and arts offer runs through Brighton and Hove like letters through a stick of rock.  It’s crucial that we find ways to ensure that artists’ spaces continue to be provided.

“Dame Anita Roddick was one of our city’s great pioneers, opening her first Body Shop only a street away from the Corn Exchange. It is appropriate that the city’s newest, free of charge, creative space will provide a home for the cultural and arts innovators of tomorrow in a building synonymous with brave artistic production.”

The Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre refurbishment is the first phase in the Royal Pavilion Estate regeneration project, a long-term collaboration between Brighton and Hove City Council, Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival and Brighton and Hove Museums (formerly the Royal Pavilion and Museums Trust).

The long-term vision for the project is to reunite the historic estate as a major UK cultural destination, equipping it for a sustainable future and as a centre for heritage and the arts which reflects the unique spirit of Brighton.