In October 2020, Margate Synagogue was put up for auction. Four local residents, Francesca Ter Berg, Kate Gillespie, Lucy Lyons and Jan Ryan, passionate to preserve this last reminder of Cliftonville’s Jewish past, set out to save the building from demolition or commercial development.

​A crowd funder was set up and thanks to huge support from local residents as well as well-wishers from around the world, the building was saved and Cliftonville Cultural Space was born.

Our vision is to celebrate Cliftonville as a vibrant and diverse neighbourhood by providing an accessible space which welcomes, includes and brings together its many different communities.

Our intention is to be a resource for local people as well as attracting visitors from throughout East Kent and beyond, through a relevant, ambitious and engaging cultural programme ranging across all art forms, and by co-creating work with our neighbours, making sure we respond to their voices – especially those from traditionally marginalised communities.

We will also ensure that not just the heritage of the building is preserved, but that the Jewish experience of diaspora enables us to empathise with other cultural groups This is reflected in who we work and partner with - including Cliftonville’s Roma community and newly-arrived refugees.

Above all, ARK exists to bring people together, and promote understanding and appreciation of each other’s cultures through the events we programme and the work we do in our local community.