The theatre, arts centre and community hub on the Isle Of Dogs is marking its 30th birthday with the unveiling of its Space 30 crowdfunder.
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“We officially turn 30 this September,” said Matthew Jameson, artistic director of The Space arts centre on the Isle Of Dogs.
“It’s extraordinary to be the guardian and representative of an organisation like this at a point in its life when it feels like it’s grown up.
“We can still see the vision that its founder, Robert Richardson had for this place in the 1990s – a multiform arts centre, a community centre and hub on the Isle Of Dogs for all its people regardless of religious or political persuasion.
“It was to be something to expose them to all forms of art – that’s the only instruction we’ve been given and what we try to achieve.”
While in-person tickets for Space 30: An Evening Of Celebration on Friday, September 25, 2026 rapidly sold out (thanks in no small part to the promise of patron Sir Ian Mckellen performing some Shakespeare), the event will act as both a birthday party and the start of a wider fundraising campaign.
Those keen to witness the goings-on can still tune in for the live stream with tickets starting at £12 and profits going towards the campaign.
“We’ve got a smorgasbord of acts who have all played their part in The Space’s story,” said Matthew.
“Andrew Campling, a composer, conductor and pianist who was a dear friend of our founder will be playing some of his own compositions.
“We’ll also have Kayla McQuarrie, the host of our new open mic comedy nights and Stephen Smith who has smashed the Edinburgh Fringe with his show One Man Poe and found his feet at The Space.
“Then Sir Ian will perform some Shakespeare and talk to us about the journey of turning this building from a disused church into what it is today having helped lay the ground for that project in the early 1990s.
“Depending on the levels of donations we get on the night I might be shaving my beard, my hair or even waxing my whole body.
“Then, as part of Space 30, we’ll be unveiling all sorts of ways to donate to The Space – people can sponsor seats for £200 or sign up to support a creative for £630, which allows us to bring in an artist, subsidise their practice and give them a safe place to develop and hone their craft.
“It’s a project we’re very keen to do but one we just don’t have the resources for at the moment.
“We also want to remind people that a £60 donation lets us open for an evening to host a community-minded group or organisation.
“This is the start of a new chapter in the life of The Space – we’re under new management, split jointly between myself and Sarah Read and there are exciting times ahead.
“The people we’re working with are getting excited by the multi-form vision, something that can be somewhere for everyone on the Island, that puts on fun, engaging, entertaining shows and events with pathos and meaning.
“We want to provide people with somewhere that’s affordable, that they can come and see their first show or discover new artists.”
welcoming audiences through the doors
One of the key messages The Space is keen to amplify is its accessibility. While being nestled on the Isle Of Dogs, the arts centre is less than 10 minutes’ walk from Mudchute DLR and served by multiple bus routes connecting it to Canary Wharf in 12 minutes. Walking between the estate and the venue takes less than 20 minutes.
“A lot of what we do is about getting people across the threshold,” said Matthew. “We have a beautiful building here but there’s a mystery about it – is it a church, a synagogue, a power station?
“Once people visit, it can be enough for them to fall in love with the place.
“We’d welcome even more people coming from Canary Wharf and we’re incredibly grateful to CWG for the collaborations we’ve done with them over many years.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone and all the organisations that have contributed to The Space and who have helped us make it the place it is today.
“If people haven’t visited for a while or have just wondered what this strange building is on Westferry Road, then I want to say that we’re here, we’re open and we have a broad programme for everyone.
“As artistic director, one of the things I’ve most enjoyed about the role has been getting out into the community and meeting people with the aim of working more closely – with Theatreship, for example.
“We always punch above our weight in terms of the performers who come here – such as our stand-up comedy nights, for example.
“This is your invitation to come into The Space, see a show and discover what it is we’re doing on the Isle Of Dogs.”
key details: The Space’s Space 30 campaign
Full details of the live stream on Friday, September 25, 2026, are available via this link.
The venue has also launched a Space 30 crowdfunder to help its achieve its aims and to support its mission in the future. Find out more here.
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