The Sarabande Foundation has opened its new home in Tottenham.

At PhotoVogue, we’ve always admired the Sarabande Foundation’s commitment to nurturing bold, fearless artistic voices. This mission closely matches our own dedication to supporting artists whose work challenges norms, enriches visual culture, and offers fresh ways of seeing the world.

Founded in 2006 by the late visionary Lee Alexander McQueen, the Sarabande Foundation is much more than just an arts organization. Through scholarships, mentorship, and affordable studio spaces, it gives artists the support and stability they need to sustain ambitious, long-term creative projects. Its community spans many different creative fields, but its core belief stays the same: to support artists with unique voices who aren’t afraid to take risks.

Following the Artists: A New Home in Tottenham

On July 1, Sarabande finally opened its new home in Tottenham, the result of nearly ten years of planning and restoration. Instead of choosing a central London location, the foundation decided to follow the artists, settling in a neighborhood that has become home to a growing, lively creative community. Alongside affordable studios, the new space includes a public gallery, a café, and a year-round program of events. This helps support Tottenham’s wider regeneration while welcoming the local community.

The new home is made up of two carefully restored Queen Anne townhouses from the early 1700s. Their historic interiors now hold studios, exhibition spaces, and communal areas, creating a place where artists can create work, share ideas, and connect with the public.

Restored using a philosophy of “arrested decay,” the buildings keep the marks of their past rather than hiding them. Layers of 18th-century wallpaper, exposed horsehair plaster, and even scribbles left behind during 19th-century dinner parties are still visible throughout the interiors.

Today, the restored buildings house 14 affordable artist studios—rented for just £1 per square foot—alongside the House of Bandits gallery, a permanent café, and shared spaces that encourage artists and the local community to come together.

Before the artists moved in, Sarabande asked artist-in-residence John Spyrou to photograph the spaces after the restoration.

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The Opening: La Benedición

To celebrate the opening of its new home, Sarabande commissioned PhotoVogue multidisciplinary artist Victoria Ruiz to present La Bendición, a performance and procession where sound, ritual, and the body come together. Guided by live samba percussion, performers wearing Ruiz’s sculptural costumes brought the energy of carnival into a ceremony that ended with a collective cleansing using water from Lourdes, France. The performance was captured by photographer Elif Gönen.

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La Benedición by Victoria Ruiz

Discover more about the Sarabande Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about The Sarabande Foundations new home in Tottenham written in a natural tone with clear answers

General Basic Questions

1 What is The Sarabande Foundation
Its a charity set up by the late fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen It supports emerging artists and designers by giving them affordable studio space and financial grants

2 So theyve moved to a new building
Yes Theyve opened a brandnew permanent home in Tottenham North London Its a big step up from their previous location

3 Where exactly in Tottenham is it
Its at 15 Ashley Road Tottenham London N17 9LZ

4 Is this just for fashion designers
No While McQueen was a fashion designer the foundation supports a wide range of creative fields including fine art sculpture film music and design

5 Can the public visit the new space
Yes but its primarily a working studio They host public events like exhibitions and open studios Check their website for specific opening times and event schedules

Benefits Features of the New Home

6 Whats so special about the new building
Its a purposebuilt sustainable space designed specifically for artists It has 24 affordable studios a large gallery a workshop and communal areas Its about five times bigger than their old space

7 How does this help artists compared to the old place
The bigger space means they can support more artists The dedicated gallery lets them host proper public exhibitions and the workshop allows for largerscale messy projects they couldnt do before

8 Is the rent still affordable
Yes The whole point is to provide belowmarketrate studios in London which is famously expensive The rent is subsidized to help artists focus on their work not just on paying bills

Application Eligibility

9 Who can apply for a studio or grant
Emerging artists and designers who have graduated from a UK university or college within the last five years You need to show you have a serious professional practice

10 How do I apply
Applications open for specific rounds throughout the year You apply directly through The Sarabande Foundation website It