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ABOUT US
OUR MISSION & AIMS
The Bomb Factory Art Foundation was established in 2015 by artist Pallas Citroen at our inaugural location in Archway. Driven by a vision to create an organisation that supports the creation and development of art spaces that support artists and offer the audience a more inclusive experience. The conviction that art enriches society in transformative ways gave Pallas the impetus to embark on this journey to not only create a vibrant gallery and studio space but also a thriving artistic community.
Our mission is simple:
● Encourage participation in the arts in the local and wider community by providing a free-to-attend programme of exhibitions, screenings, performance events, workshops, and community projects in our gallery and workshop spaces.
● Offer opportunities for the creation of work and exchange, as well as an introduction to the wider art community and networks through our workshops and outreach projects with local schools, colleges, and institutions.
● Support a popular internship programme that offers professional mentorship and career advice by practicing artists.
● Forge relationships with other like-minded organisations both nationally and internationally, with the intention of fostering creative, dynamic, and mutually-beneficial collaborations.
● Provide an educational programme enabling people of any background to participate and explore their creative abilities and understanding.
● Create arts hubs that serve local and wider artistic communities and welcome groups and individuals who feel excluded from these spaces.
● Offer exhibitions that reflect diversity and inclusion.
● Take risks and challenge public and professional perceptions of what constitutes contemporary visual culture, stimulating our audiences into experiencing all forms of contemporary art.
● Support our charity through our hub model in "meanwhile spaces."
● Support all types of contemporary artists with the provision of affordable studio spaces within an active and creative community, accessible through an open and fair application process and supportive of our diversity and inclusion aims.
● Provide the conditions in which artists from all backgrounds and at any stage in their careers can emerge and thrive.
THE HISTORY
The original site of the Bomb Factory Art Foundation is situated within a Victorian warehouse in Archway, North London. Its historical significance traces back to its role as a munitions factory during the Second World War, where it was involved in the production of bombs. The Bomb Factory building stands out as one of the few structures in London that remained unscathed during the war, symbolising the enduring resilience of the arts amidst upheaval and hardship. Embracing this historical context, we have adopted the name ‘Bomb Factory’ as a nod to its history and as a symbol of our commitment to creating artwork that is dynamic and impactful.
The success of our Archway location has propelled us forward, facilitating the acquisition of additional spaces, notably in Chelsea, Marylebone, Covent Garden, and Holborn. These new locations serve as vibrant hubs for hosting a diverse range of exciting exhibition programmes. Today, with over 120 artists, we have furthered our commitment to community engagement by expanding our learning programme to specifically cater to state schools in each of these local boroughs.
