QUEERCIRCLE

It describes itself as an organisation-in-process rather than a fixed institution: a growing ecosystem of artists, communities and organisations who share knowledge, learn from one another and test fairer ways of working together, an approach it calls Queering the Institution. Its work spans collective governance, cultural democracy, community knowledge, health and research, with change led by the people most affected.

The building on Soames Walk holds a gallery, a first-floor project space and the Queer Community Library, a free, drop-in space for queer books, zines and publications across fiction, poetry, history, theory and politics, with tables to work at and sofas to settle into. The collection grows through community donations. Alongside exhibitions, QUEERCIRCLE runs workshops, talks, screenings, a young people's programme and programmes that support grassroots groups, and it has opened its spaces to resident groups, artists and performers as working studios and rehearsal space. The gallery and library are step-free, with accessible toilets for all genders on every floor.