Brixton now hosts at least three Arts Council England recognised art institutions. Two of our long-established art institutions – 198 Contemporary Arts and Photofusion – are to join Arts Council England’s national portfolio of organisations from April next year.
And Sunshine International Arts in Loughborough Junction has been confirmed as a continuing national portfolio organisation for 2018-2022.
Photofusion and 198 will be working as a consortium. In a joint statement they said: “Our aims are strongly aligned. The most significant area of common ground, and the reason we have come together to form this partnership, is that both organisations have a long-standing and well evidenced commitment to diversity in the arts.
“We will deliver a programme that will support young people and artists, with a particular focus on under-represented groups.
“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the past few years and, while the environment is still challenging, this award will go a long way towards ensuring our futures.”
198, now in its 28th year, is fundraising to secure its future by building two extra floors on its Railton Road premises to create a community impact hub for youth enterprise in Brixton.
Photofusion in Brixton Market was founded as the Photo Co-op, a collective of documentary photographers, in 1979.
It has become London’s largest independent photography resource centre, moving to its Brixton premises in 1991. It received a National Lottery award in 1995 to expand them.
Founded in 2002, Sunshine International Arts is one of the leading artistic, educational and carnival production companies in the UK. It specialises in carnival arts and works extensively in local, regional, national and international contexts.
Arts Council England national portfolio organisations receive regular funding from the council – currently for a period of three years. The council says that they represent some of the best arts practice in the world.
