Kingswood Arts is a not-for-profit arts centre and cultural hub, designed to support its local community through creativity. Located in a stunning 32 room mansion, we offer a range of free and affordable activities, events and performances for young people and families, involving music, drama, dance and visual arts. 

We aim to support and give voices to marginalised communities and those who face barriers to accessing arts and culture. Our programme is and always will be co-created with our local community, relevant, affordable and accessible. 

We're super excited to welcome our new CEO and Artistic Director who takes over from Jack in June! 

Sydney Thornbury is a dynamic and entrepreneurial arts leader with over 20 years of executive experience in the cultural and social enterprise sectors. She has successfully revitalised and led multiple organisations, including The Art House in Wakefield—where her leadership earned the Gulbenkian Award for Civic Arts—as well as The Conservatoire in Blackheath and Beckenham Place Mansion, where she transformed heritage sites into vibrant, multi-use arts and community hubs. Known for her inclusive, community-driven programming and innovative income models, Sydney has developed nationally recognised initiatives such as the UK’s first Studio of Sanctuary for asylum-seeking artists. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and an alumna of the Oxford Cultural Leadership Programme.  

She says:

'I am so excited to be joining Kingswood Arts. What they have already achieved under Jack Hartshorn in such a short time is already impressive.  I look forward to working with the community, staff and trustees to continue to take it to new heights and to demonstrate the deep social and civic impact that an arts centre can have on its local community.'

We are community hub and resource for the people living on the Kingswood Estate and surrounding areas. We've worked closely with residents, local groups and the council to develop a model where Kingswood will be accessible for all whilst still generating enough income to support the significant running costs & maintenance of the house. 

Most of our community activities are free,  especially those aimed at young people. We will also run a year round programme of community events celebrating the best in local talent that will always be open, accessible and affordable (or free!).

All of this is guided by a steering group made up of key stakeholders including representatives from the residents, local schools, political representation and crucially, young people. 

We would love to hear from local residents, parents and anyone with an interest in the future of Kingswood House!