Venues

Creative Elephant is a celebration of galleries, dance studios, theatres, museums, creative education institutions, clubs and much more - all of which in the Elephant & Castle area. Where will you go next?

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Art Academy London1

Art College
Exhibition Space

Open

A young and innovative art school, offering courses that are designed and delivered by expert, practising artists. The aim is to combine an old-school atelier with the vibrancy and diversity of a contemporary art school. Art Academy subsidies' on-site studios, host regular exhibitions and run outreach programmes for people of all ages and backgrounds, creating a diverse and stimulating backdrop for study and self-expression. Local residents are entitled to a 20% discount on public courses from Wednesday to Sunday using the code elephant20.Find out more

ASC Gallery & Studios2

Exhibition Space
Artist studios
Gallery

Closed

Located in a Brutalist tower block on the Aylesbury estate, which also houses artists’ studios, the Gallery hosts an annual programme of exhibitions and associated events, with the aim of engaging new audiences and promoting contemporary art to a wider public. Curators work closely with artists on work created for the space and seek out new talent with a commitment to show un-established artists.Find out more

Blue Elephant Theatre3

Theatre
Performance

Partially Open

A quirky Camberwell-based fringe theatre with a bustling programme, a little theatre that thinks big. Tucked away on a housing estate, this tiny 50-seater space provides a much-needed home for South London theatre, dance and performance. Placing equal importance on its professional and participatory programmes, Blue Elephant hosts dance, physical theatre, storytelling, new writing and family shows, delivers projects in local schools and runs youth theatres for ages 7 – 18.Find out more

Cinema Museum4

Museum
Cinema Venue
Events

Closed

Opened in 1998 the museum hosts a cinema and film history collection unrivalled in the UK. Hallways are decked with classic movie props, original posters and artwork, portraits of stars, projectors and memorabilia dating back to the dawn of cinema. Two rooms hosting screenings and events are furnished with reclaimed red velvet seats and short screenings form part of our tours. Archives containing over a million stills, thousands of rare publications and films are a magnet for researchers and students. We remain at risk of closure due to redevelopment, see our website ‘home’ page for details.Find out more

Corsica Studios5

Music Venue
Street Food
Events

Closed

This iconic music and arts venue is situated in two railway arches at Elephant and Castle. With a stripped-back interior and a reputation for being a hidden underground gem, it’s an essential destination within London’s vital club scene. The focus and priority are always on the quality of the music programming and Corsica were awarded the DJ Mag – “Best of British 2019” Small Club of the year.Find out more

Draper Hall6

Available To Hire
Music Venue
Theatre

Closed

Managed by Draper Together, an Association CIO, this beautiful, flexible space has a varied calendar throughout the year, hosting social and cultural activities including five-star theatre, live music of all genres from Jazz to Classical, art exhibitions, the DFMA (Draper Film and Music Academy) for young local residents, workshops and talks.Find out more

Drawing Room 7

Creative Workspace
Exhibition Space

Closed

Drawing Room is the place for people of all ages and backgrounds to discover contemporary drawing. It comprises free exhibitions by international and emerging artists, library and learning space and a shop stocking books, drawing materials and artists’ editions. The engagement programme makes contemporary drawing relevant and accessible to local communities. These strands, together with talks, artist-led projects, commissions and other events, nurture talent through supporting the production of new work and share the diversity of drawing with an ever-widening audience.Find out more

Forma 8

Exhibition Space

Closed

Forma Arts and Media is a London-based visual arts commissioning and production agency that works with emerging and mid-career British and international artists. It looks to support projects that span multiple disciplines, challenge existing practices and pushes for new levels of ambition. With a distinct emphasis on collaboration, creative inquiry and production values, Forma works closely with artists and partners to develop interdisciplinary, site-specific and large-scale projects for audiences worldwide, from community workshops to institutional exhibitions and film. In late 2020, Forma will officially launch its new cultural hub in Southwark.Find out more

Hotel Elephant9

Co-Working Space
Creative Workspace
Artist studios

Partially Open

Elephant & Castle’s first co-working Space for Creative Entrepreneurs launched in 2017 in five newly refurbished railway arches, three minutes from the station. Spare Street provides a new model for creative working with emerging artists, recent graduates, start-up and growing creative businesses working alongside one another. They host regular exhibitions, members socials, live music, talks and networking events.Find out more

IWM (Imperial War Museum)10

Museum
Exhibition Space
Cafe

Closed

IWM London is one of the five Museums that make up IWM, a global authority on conflict and its impact on people’s lives. IWM London has been based in a South London park since 1936 and uncovers the causes, course and consequences of war through permanent exhibition galleries, special seasons and events. The new second World War and Holocaust galleries will open in 2021, just part of the ongoing transformation of the museum.Find out more

London College of Communication 11

Art College
Multi Purpose Venue
Exhibition Space

Closed

From creative workshops and panel discussions, to exhibitions and screenings of staff and student work, London College of Communication offers a lively programme of exhibitions and events throughout the year. Playing host to interactive installations using immersive technology, print-based and moving image and more, our gallery spaces are situated at the core of LCC.

Reflecting the breadth of the design, media and screen industries and working in collaboration with our diverse community and visiting artists and designers, our public programme is free and open to all.

Find out more

Louie Louie12

Cafe
Bar
Events

Open

Louie Louie is a cafe, bar & restaurant halfway down Walworth Road.

Coffee, sandwiches, salads & cake by day (...with 10% off for NHS & NUS), Nepalese food in the evenings from current chef in residence Rajiv's Kitchen, natural wines, local beers & cocktails by night + weekend brunch.

Louie Louie also hosts live music + vinyl listen back sessions/Q&As (back soon). Thanks to the Arts Council Louie Louie also promotes larger concerts in the community, with the next series starting in October at St Peter's Church just around the corner

Find out more

Mercato Metropolitano 13

Street Food
Brewery
Bar

Open

Housed in a vast former paper factory this covered market is home to an exciting array of international food and artisanal produce stalls, bars and cafes, with a focus on community support and sustainable living. MM is also home to the “Theatrery” which aims to incubate and support aspiring artists who couldn't have a chance to showcase their talents, discovering new ones and embracing the work of the established ones. Besides, MM hosts a vast array of events and workshops from cooking to start-up support.Find out more

Siobhan Davies Studios 14

Multi Purpose Venue
Events
Dance school

Partially Open

A place to connect with others and engage with a stimulating programme of exhibitions, talks, events and classes, the Studios are a vibrant arts space hosting a programme of exhibitions, performances, participation projects and new commissions from leading contemporary artists. Founded in 1988 by pioneering choreographer Siobhan Davies, the organisation connects artists and audiences through investigative, collaborative and interdisciplinary artistic activities at their studios and beyond.Find out more

Southwark Playhouse15

Theatre
Bar
Online Performances

Closed

The theatre programme aims to facilitate and showcase the work of some of the UK’s best up and coming talent with a focus on reinterpreting classic plays and contemporary plays of note. It’s all about telling stories and inspiring the next generation of storytellers and theatre-makers. For over twenty years, the theatre has facilitated the work of new and emerging theatre practitioners from early in their creative lives to the start of their professional careers, many of whom are now enjoying flourishing careers.Find out more

Superarts Academy 16

Acting
Dance school
Agency

Open

Superarts Academy of Performing Arts provides students from all backgrounds with a life enhancing, practical, & educative experience of dance & performance to support their creative potential and well-being. Superarts offers young people aged 3 – 18 years old a range of classes from Ballet to Tap, Street to Acrobatics/Gymnastics, and Jazz to Musical Theatre. Besides obtaining a high standard of tuition, students have had the opportunity to appear in numerous theatre productions, including West End shows, plus many local events.Find out more

The Living Room 17

Maker Spaces
Creative Workspace
Gallery

Open

The Living Room at Sayer Street showcases a selection of novel independent creatives in purpose built maker spaces along a new retail hub at Elephant Park.

Along with a 400 sqm pleasure garden - verdant planting, colourful canopies and lights, outdoor workspaces, creative maker spaces, recreational green nooks and an urban wildflower meadow. All inviting visitors to a memorable high street experience, encompassing all that represents the social life of some of London’s best-loved public spaces.

Each of the three maker-spaces will be home to some of South London's brilliant creatives and small business start-ups bringing you community radio (Run Dem Radio), urban garden shopping (The Nunhead Gardener) and photography studio and gallery (Flat 70).

Find out more