The Old Fire Station, Oxford

Art is for everyone. Everyone has potential. The Old Fire Station is a public arts centre: presenting new work across art forms supporting artists including people facing tough times We do this by focussing on: good quality relationships encouraging creativity and risk-taking offering a public space which is welcoming to all Why is this needed? Oxford is globally renowned for stunning heritage and outstanding research. Oxford is also a place of disadvantage and inequality and is sometimes regarded as closed. Oxford needs the Old Fire Station because it is about openness, inclusion, looking forward and different thinking. The Old Fire Station acts as a bridge between sectors, organisations and people. Our Mission Presenting new work across art forms We want our reputation to be good quality art aimed at adults which takes a risk, asks questions and entertains. We want our audiences to have fun and be open to new ideas and different people. Supporting artists We support early to mid-career artists from all disciplines with advice, networks and promotion to help them become more successful. Including people facing tough times We share our building with the homelessness charity, Crisis. Through this partnership, we offer people who are homeless space to define themselves and choose their own labels by including them in the running of the centre. We look for ways of including others who are socially isolated and disadvantaged. This improves the quality of what we do, helps develop networks, builds resilience and leads to more stable lives. We do this, with Crisis, by offering a public space which is shared by very different people and helps to break down barriers and promote solidarity in Oxford. We prioritise building good quality relationships within our team, with our public and with partner organisations.