Arcola uses theatre as a powerful tool for social cohesion, confidence building, and self-expression. We work with Hackney and East London’s marginalised communities through four community companies aimed at older people, people who have experienced mental illness, LGBTQAI+ communities and migrants.
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Arcola Theatre is based in Hackney - home to extraordinary creativity, but also deep inequality. One in four people in Hackney are experiencing poverty. Many residents in East London face limited access to the arts and community spaces. There are few affordable and accessible opportunities to develop creative skills, build confidence and connect. We offer an entry point into theatre and the wider cultural sector – not just for those who can afford it, but for those who need it most.
Our community companies empower participants, validate lived experience and provide supportive spaces where people can tell their stories. We tackle loneliness, isolation and inequality through collaborative theatre projects. Our community groups respond to and reflect the diverse demographics of our community: Arcola 50+, Mental Health Company, Queer Collective, Newly Arrived/Migrants. We work with underrepresented communities in the arts and challenge assumptions about what theatre can be.
