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Islington has lost one of its art organisations after landlords refused its application for a lease renewal.
Arbeit, an arts centre described by its co-founder Hajni Semsei as a “platform to work and to watch other people work”, will be relocating to Hackney after five-months’ closure.
Ms Semsei, 37, who set up the centre with Nimrod Verdi, 30, said that Arbeit was conceived as “a place for people to not be money-orientated, so that everyone can have a space”.
Yet after a drawn-out battle with the landlord Arbeit has lost their premises on Helmet Row, Bunhill, and discussions are underway for a commercial gallery to take over the lease.
“We didn’t make any money…We both worked part-time to fund the project,” said Ms Semsei.
The building, which Ms Semsei and Mr Vardi invested much of their savings in, housed events such as the British Israeli Art Project which was funded by a grant from Islington Council.
Arbeit collaborated with many local organisations to boost interest in the arts in the area, including the London School of Economics, Finsbury Leisure Centre and St Luke’s Community Centre.
Ms Semsei and Mr Vardi spent four months from July this year searching for a property within their budget but Semsei fears financial barriers even with a new location secured.
“I am currently looking for funding for the new projects. Things such as electricity, improvement and new windows need to be sorted out”, she said.
After an unsuccessful application to the Arts Council, the 37-year-old is pursuing other financial avenues.
“I would like to see more private funding in the arts,” she said.
