We are constantly welcoming new venues into the house network and love to give them the chance to introduce their spaces and programmes.

The Spire in Brighton offers a space for artists to devise and explore as well as programmes occasional work for Brighton Festival, Brighton Pride and at Christmas time. Faith Dodkins, Co-Director of The Spire tells us more about what they offer and what they would like to do more of.

Give us an introduction to your venue

The Spire is a creative space for theatre and performance makers, located in a beautiful (but crumbling) Grade II listed former chapel in East Brighton. Since 2013, the space has been used by both the local community and professional artists to primarily develop new creative projects - and at certain points in the year, present work to an audience. The building is also available to hire for rehearsals, private events, wedding receptions, exhibitions and launches. They do not have a fixed rig or stage but do have the flexibility and scale to respond directly to an artist’s vision!

Describe your organisation’s staff structure

The Spire is led by Co-Director’s Faith Dodkins and David Sheppeard, who have a combined track record of 25 years producing arts and culture in the public sector, in the UK and internationally. They are employed on a part-time freelance basis, equivalent of just one day a week each. We have a number of other freelance staff who work with us to support individual projects and events. The organisation is supported by an experienced Board of Trustee.

What type of events are you hoping to programme?

We are keen to support:

– Projects that engage with and elevate marginalised artists and communities

– Projects with a clear link to communities living locally to The Spire

– Artists that are inspired to respond to and utilise the full creative potential and scale of our building

– Participatory projects that produce meaningful exchanges between artists and communities encouraging creativity regardless of how a person might identify

– New work over remounts

– be it devised, scripted or choreographed

– Projects that are considerate and respectful of the building's heritage, whilst recognising our commitment to progressive values and free creative expression

It’s worth noting that we do not have a regular programme of events and instead focus on supporting the development and creation of new work (through seed commissioning, R&D residencies and rehearsal space). We commission one or two projects each year (usually for Brighton Festival and our Christmas programme) and often work in partnership with other local organisations at other important moments in the city’s cultural calendar (with Marlborough Productions during Brighton Pride for example).

What previous events are you proud of that’s run at The Spire?

The Spire has worked with emerging creatives to ACE NPOs, including Brighton Festival, New Writing South, Brighton Digital Festival, Vincent Dance Theatre and TrueStory, offering support and space allowing innovative projects to flourish and communities in the area to engage with high quality cultural activity. We have hosted bold international work both on an epic scale and with an intimate atmosphere; including performances by some of the world's most prolific performers including FK Alexander (I Could Go on Singing (Over the Rainbow), BF 2017), US trans artist Cassils (Becoming an Image, Marlborough Productions, 2017), US rapper and poet Mykki Blanco (BF, 2017), legendary US artist and musician Laurie Anderson (Lou Reed Drones’, BF 2015) and high profile favourites like Scottee, David Hoyle, Travis Alabanza and Bryony Kimmings.

We have programmed and commissioned some of the City’s most loved and fondly remembered arts and cultural events including TrueStory’s A Christmas Carol, The Candle Project by Abigail Conway (which was presented to a limited audience and simultaneously broadcast live during Brighton Festival 2021) and Tim Spooner’s participatory installation Animal Place at last year’s Brighton Festival.

What upcoming activities are you looking forward to at The Spire?

This year we are very excited to have commissioned Sheila Ghelani as part of Brighton Festival 2023. Sheila’s work spans performance, installation, social art and moving image - A Restorative is a new participatory artwork created to revive and renew the spirits through the power of rest and will premiere this May. There will be BSL interpreted sessions and a touch tour / guided session. You can find out more by visiting brightonfestival.org