In the 1970s a group of artists, minority groups and organisations and some truly eccentric people got together to form the Diorama Arts collective on the site of the original Diorama building in Regent's Park: it soon became widely know as a place for arts, craft, theatre, concerts and exciting events as well as a hot house of the best talent London had to offer: everybody from Derek Jarman to Elvis Costello was involved with the Diorama or participated in some of the thousands of events that took place over the years. Then in 1980 Diorama become a Registered Charity (no. 283452) with a board of trustees and much more involved with the local community by running all sorts of projects/classes to benefit local people: from art therapy to pottery, women writing to poetry for survivors of mental/physical abuse, even tai chi!

In 1993 Diorama lost its original home on Regent's park and was relocated nearby by its Landlords, The Crown Estate, to its current premises in Osnaburgh St. More recently three more sites were added on, thanks to British Land , in the newly refurbished Regent's Place business centre next to Warren St allowing the Diorama to expand its range of classes and courses, as well as its status as a top place in central London for rehearsals, auditions and workshops.

Our current programme is more varied than ever and offers opportunities for:

The Diorama has also developed over many years a great relationship with its Landlords as well as Camden Borough and is an active member of the West Euston Partnership. We proudly participate in local events, fairs and festivals, and co-sponsor various activities in the Regent's place plaza.

More than 40 minority and community organisations and artists are housed within our premises at present as well as two art galleries, a 50-seat theatre, a canteen and innumerable rehearsal spaces of all sizes and the money made through our rehearsal/workshop spaces is used to subsidise their rents, thus allowing them to continue their valuable work within a stone-throw of the West End.

Once running costs are recovered, the rest is ploughed back into the community via arts-based projects making the Diorama that rarest of pearls: a charity which is largely self sufficient and economically healthy!

Thirty years on the Diorama is healthier and in better shape than ever and a respected charity not just in the local community, but also country wide.

Things are moving at a faster pace and we are always looking at new ways of improving our services and expanding our operations to improve the long term prospects of our organisation.

return to top of page