Space shoppers

Jerwood Space was the Jerwood Foundation’s first capital initiative, designed to offer affordable rehearsal space to “young and emerging dance and theatre companies”. The Southwark-based Victorian school building, refurbished in 1998, was recently graced with a new suite of studios and meeting rooms, restoring the top floor lost to wartime bombing. The Jerwood Foundation owns the building, which we manage, but since 2001, having repaid the Lottery grant, has only contributed capital costs. We receive no grants from any source, public or private, so we depend solely on income generation from hire and services. While our independence gives us great freedom to concentrate on running the project, the economic imperative is clear: we must earn our keep.

We deal in space, principally for rehearsal. It’s the great iceberg of the arts: most of it hidden from public gaze and usually noticed only at the last minute. But good, clean, light, properly serviced space that meets the requirements of the profession isn’t easy to find. Such space can be found, but all too often rehearsal isn’t its prime purpose. An organisation with extra rooms may have competing priorities (its own performance or development programme, weekly classes and meetings). All too rarely are there knowledgeable staff whose focus is making good space work in the best interests of each hirer.

Our studios were designed to create the best rehearsal conditions, and we’ve added air-conditioning to every space, and a Green Room. The surroundings are conducive to creativity, with the café, courtyard and Jerwood Gallery open to all. We also advise on alternative space and provide feedback on the rehearsal process and the completed work. Since we opened, we’ve offered space right across the profession, from West End musicals through the middle- and small-scale to individual choreographers. Occupancy is around 90%, and we get far more requests than we can accommodate. We charge a proper market rate to the commercial sector but the mid-scale and the fringe may benefit from a third to two-thirds subsidy on the published price. We’ve tried to create an equal ‘three-way split’ between commercial, middle and small-scale companies and the fringe. That’s a variable ratio, because we have no intention of building up a revenue deficit. Buildings that work this hard have to be maintained and improved. Statutory maintenance contracts and health and safety requirements make increasing demands on our income. We have held prices for three years now and acknowledge there’s a ceiling in the profession. However, we also earn from offering business meeting space, and the Gallery is used for receptions and events. Our franchised caterer maintains a daytime café but can also cater for private and corporate events. However, that income stream may weaken. Rising costs also include a reduction in our discretionary rate relief as local authorities face a tough settlement. To earn more, we may have to reduce the amount of subsidised space available.

While around two-thirds of our hire is clearly charitable in terms of reduced-cost space, Jerwood Space isn’t a registered charity. The flexibility and lack of bureaucracy we have allows us to maintain quality and adds value and public benefit, not only for the profession but as a cultural destination. We don’t do free rehearsal space; not just because there’s no such thing (someone, somewhere is subsidising it!) but, more importantly, “if it’s free, it’s not worth anything”. We like to think we’ve raised the bar on valuing creation space. Valued space provides the best conditions for artists to have the best chance of making their best work.