Founded by Patricia Finnegan and Sam Williams, Peer Space connects emerging and established practitioners through mentoring, development programmes, residencies and collaborative projects.

Despite it’s reputation as a creative hub, Brighton is an increasingly challenging place for creatives to live and make work - especially for those that face intersectional barriers due to socio-economic background, or for those who don’t have an established practice yet.

Patricia and Sam connected through a shared love of hanging upside down (yes, you read that right!) and through a shared frustration - that despite both of us having an ‘established’ practice, that there was little viability for work in the city we live in. So, if we can’t make a living here, how could it be possible for those beginning their careers?

Through the support of the Werk’s Group, Sam acquired an unloved space to become the home of her studio, and invited Patricia to explore the possibility of establishing a space that could be accessed by early career creatives through subsidised desk space.

We’ve put our money and our time, where are mouths are! We’ve been developing the space through 2025 and we’re in the process of exploring what a future, sustainable model could look like - we aspire to grow towards becoming a long-term civic asset. We’re here to reimagine what creative infrastructure can look like: inclusive, locally-driven and built with artists at the centre.

Our pilot Navigate programme connects creatives across experience levels. We provide workspace, mentoring, peer development and paid opportunities that help early-career artists & creative professionals build sustainable practices while contributing to the region’s cultural ecology. We are now seeking funding opportunities to establish Peer Space longer term.