From the beginning of April 2025 until March 2026, Theatre Centre’s home became a hub for professional creatives thanks to a partnership between Creative Crawley and Theatre Centre funded by Arts Council England and Crawley Borough Council via the Shared Prosperity Fund.
This space existed to provide public value, support early-stage practitioners, create visible cultural life, and generate long-term social and economic benefit. However, it takes longer to develop a robust business model and we will take our learning forward into new spaces in Crawley, if they emerge.
Theatre Centre and Creative Crawley worked together since 2023 to create West Green Studios in 1, Town Barn Road, West Green, opposite Crawley hospital. In March 2025, the studios opened as a fit for purpose flexible performance space, 24 hour public access gallery and artists studios with 5 resident artists.
Funding was secured from Arts Council England and the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund to develop and test the space as a creative hub and since June 2023 to March 2026 it was used by nearly 700 local participants from the elders at Carey House to students from The Gatwick School. Over 70 local and nationally renowned artists such as Sarah Maple, Clod Ensemble and Marco Woolf used the space to perform, rehearse or run workshops. There were 14 different skills development workshops for local people from archiving to floristry to printmaking and climate sustainability.
‘To have a studio in Crawley, doesn’t mean you have to just serve Crawley… the reality is quite different. The location is something to celebrate, be proud of. The potential for national and international studio work is here, that’s exciting, and if you look closely… it’s already started happening!’ Karl Singporewala, Architect, visual and resident artist, West Green Studios
Creative Crawley managed and programmed the space and supported 5 local, resident artists and 2 associates, commissioned 5 new visual artworks for the Window Gallery, hosted performances from nationally recognised artists from Andy Smith to Second Hand Dance and curated a Skills Exchange Programme for local young people to gain access to the creative industries.
‘We loved bringing our show for preschoolers and babies ‘We Touch, We Play, We Dance’ to Crawley. The intimacy of the space at West Green and the way it was set up created a special atmosphere and it was wonderful to see the children so keen to participate.’ Producer, Second Hand Dance
The five, local resident artists or those who have created or presented work in the space have gone on to present or display their work in the Frieze Sculpture trail 2025, SOAS Gallery, London, Kew Gardens, London and have had international magazine spreads.
‘My time at West Green Studios has contributed greatly to my most financially successful year as an artist. Before I couldn’t afford to commute and travel in London/Brighton to a similar space, not to mention the travel was too much as a disabled person. I have put myself forward for more opportunities thanks to the space and the confidence it has given me. I’ve had work sent internationally, been published in press in at least 6 countries and displayed work both locally and at places like Kew Gardens.
The studio is also a great place to teach and mentor from. It’s been very rewarding to give back specialist knowledge to those who wouldn’t usually have access to it.’
Beth Williams, Living Textiles artist and Resident at West Green Studios.
Theatre Centre has brought BAFTA and Olivier award winning writers and professional artists and partners including National Youth Theatre, into West Green Studios and local schools to work with young people in Crawley. Since moving into West Green, they have produced three new plays commissioned from leading writers and developed with local young people. Theatre Centre are committed to remaining in Crawley and working with local schools and community groups alongside their national touring and with schools and young people.
Find out more about the resident artists HERE
Read about the future of Creative Spaces in Crawley HERE
Images by Ian Greenland
Model (main images): Grace Lambert
