The South London Gallery (SLG) is delighted to have received a major new grant from The Bukhman Foundation. The grant will secure the future of Art Block, the SLG’s innovative free creative space for local children and families on its neighbouring housing estate, for a two-year period, providing the necessary funding for staff costs and artists fees, materials, activities and events.

Art Block is a purpose designed, inclusive space on Sceaux Gardens estate located directly behind the SLG. It is a place for local children and young people to make, play and be creative. It opened in 2017 and was built on the SLG’s long-term work with residents of Sceaux Gardens and other neighbouring housing estates. Sceaux Gardens Estate is within the 20% most disadvantaged areas nationally. Many children live in areas with limited access to spaces to play and ongoing issues of anti-social behaviour, with 71% of children living in the immediate vicinity of the SLG eligible for free school meals, over double the Southwark average.

The Bukhman Foundation was established by Anastasia and Igor Bukhman to support breakthroughs in medical research for Type 1 Diabetes, as well as celebrate the arts and culture, and access to education. The foundation’s work within arts and culture is centred on broadening and improving access to creativity and arts education through the support of pioneering institutions, complex and ambitious artistic projects, and ground-breaking young and emerging artists.

Margot Heller, Director, South London Gallery said: “We are immensely grateful to The Bukhman Foundation for their generous support to enable us to continue our work at Art Block. We very much look forward to this new chapter in the history of Art Block and to seeing its continued positive social impact and the creativity it will nurture.”