Chats Palace is an arts centre with a civic role, empowering local people. We view the arts, with their inherent ability to provoke, catalyse and enable the way that people engage with the world around them, as the means by which we can make a positive contribution to the life of our borough. Our programme works at a multiplicity of levels to reach out and enable processes by which Hackney residents may play a more active part in their community.

Our key focus areas are with those who are marginalised, excluded or without a voice; working in partnership we devise and deliver projects that combine artistic and social interaction to engender positive, life-long change. Our programme builds on strong foundation with an artist-led creative plan that attracts new audiences, encourages participation and stimulates creative and professional development.

At a time of shifting demographic and rapid social-economic change, a creative hub that operates as a robust social enterprise is more relevant than ever. Located in a landmark, Grade-ll listed former library, Chats Palace is a highly-visible and essential resource for east London, providing creative and education opportunities to tackle inequalities and offering a welcoming space for community encounter and dialogue.