RICHARD STREET Studios

Richard Street Studios is an exciting addition to Rochdale’s creative and cultural scene, as it makes space for artists and makers to base themselves in their home town.

With 7 studios, the space caters to both digital and messier creative disciplines, perfect for art, photography and scriptwriting, to sewing and design, providing the ideal blank canvas for studio workshops, events, showcases and small exhibitions.

If you are interested in participating in a group exhibition or have your own proposal, email gallery@breakingbarriersrochdale.com

If you’re interested in visiting or hiring a space, email studio@breakingbarriersrochdale.com

Our studios are currently full, to get a spot on our waiting list, email studio@breakingbarriersrochdale.com

Download the brochure for more info

Download brochure

How to find us ?

Located just a 3-minute walk from Rochdale Railway Station and Metrolink stop.

The studio is at the centre of Rochdale and offers a range of creative workspaces tailored to the needs of Rochdale’s growing art and creative business community.

Parking

We have no onsite parking at Richard Street Studios, but no worries, you can park for free at the Central Retail Park which is just opposite.

If you are a blue badge holder please can you contact our studio manager who can advise you in advance.

MEET THE ARTISTS

Andy Hirst

Andy Hirst is a video director and photographer with a focus on helping purpose-driven businesses and charities tell relatable stories to increase awareness and engagement. With two decades in the industry Andy has worked all over the UK and Europe telling stories in video and stills.

Blending the strategic, technical and creative aspects of video production with a simple frictionless production process.

Nwando Ebize

An unclassifiable polymath, British-Nigerian multidisciplinary artist Nwando fabulates speculative fictions and alternate realities at the intersection of live art, experimental music and multi-sensory installation.

Crossing boundaries of curator and artist, her first exhibition was commissioned by HOME Mcr, Lighthouse, Brighton Festival and went on to tour to Liberty Festival, Melbourne Science Gallery and MENTAL at Art/Science Singapore. In 2023 she was commissioned by Invisible Flock and Leeds2023 to create a piece ‘Last to Bloom, First to Fruit’’ for ‘This Is A Forest’, which explored why and how rituals are created and what supportive structures and knowledge they can offer – a speculative fiction mixed media piece with sculptures and photography.

Curated happenings include: Wellcome Collection Lates: Your Reality is Broken, Crystal Opening: Site Gallery, In the Black Fantastic Weekender for Southbank Centre.

Photo by Dimitr Djuric

Theatre in flow

We are a creative company committed to the championing of marginalised voices.

Theatre In Flow is a cultural organisation based in Rochdale. We make creative work, tell stories, run programmes and deliver training that challenges discrimination, promotes wellbeing and builds confidence. This encompasses individuals experiencing homelessness, enduring domestic violence, navigating addiction recovery, grappling with racism, entangled in the criminal justice system, or living in poverty. We collaborate with youth in educational settings and a diverse range of adults in community environments. Our dedication lies in advocating for social justice, and collaborating with grassroots activists in the Greater Manchester area to champion systemic transformation

Tom Richards

Tom Richards is a musician, sound designer, artist, researcher and instrument maker, based in West Yorkshire. He has been working between sonic art, sculpture, film and music since graduating with an MA in Fine Art from Chelsea College of Art in 2004. Richards has built his own idiosyncratic modular electronic music system, with which he creates slowly evolving and heavily textured polyrhythmic improvisations. He has performed and exhibited widely in the UK, as well as internationally in the US, Brazil, Germany, Peru, Singapore, Hungary, Japan and Sweden.

Selected works and live performances have taken place at Tate Britain, Fabric, Barbican, The Queen Elizabeth Hall, The Science Museum, Spike Island, Cafe Oto, MK Gallery, Focal Point, Moogfest, and Camden Arts Centre.

In 2018 he completed his PhD (Goldsmiths/Science Museum) on the work of Daphne Oram: electronic music pioneer, and founder of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. This research included the construction of Oram’s unrealised Mini Oramics synthesizer design (Circa 1975), a project that has since gained worldwide attention, including on BBC News and Wire magazine.

He is represented by Nonclassical.

Karen Jelenje

Karen Jelenje is a multidisciplinary artist with a background in architecture and design. Through her work, she seeks to uncover untold stories from people, spaces, and objects.

Her mixed British and Malawian heritage significantly influences her visual storytelling and she uses a variety of mixed media techniques, such as collage, painting, and printmaking, to create art works. Her work reflects a blend of inspirations drawn from family photo albums, architectural elements, and textile prints.

Currently, Karen’s artistic research is focusing on artisanal traditions and communal art practices across the African continent. She aims to integrate these traditions into her work and to collaborate with others in creating large-scale artworks that convey personal narratives and celebrate diverse identities and cultures.

Outside of her artistic endeavours, Karen is dedicated to fostering connections and creating shared spaces. She often facilitates creative workshops and experiences that encourage collaboration and bring people together.

23 January 2024

“The team at Breaking Barriers were energised by what they were doing and this is evident in the finished piece, a snapshot of Lancashire culture that will stand the test of time. Here at Culturapedia, we are thrilled to have worked with Breaking Barriers and look forward to the next collaboration.”

Robert Howell, Director at Culturapedia Lancashire

“Working with the team from Breaking Barriers was a pleasure. They flexibly worked to fit in with our busy workloads and make the most of the opportunities. They were friendly and set those who featured in the film at ease and ensured we gathered the best content. The end result is a great showcase of our work far superior in quality to that we could have achieved ourselves and worth the investment.”

Tim Wiseman, Thames Valley Police

“Breaking Barriers have been very supportive of our different journeys and have encouraged us to explore ways of making live art. Opportunities have opened up for us since working with Breaking Barriers and we’re embracing them.”

Shirley and Sam Jamil, Rochdale Creative Duo

“Our project was completed efficiently and ahead of schedule. What’s more, all of our input and ideas were explored, taken on board, and incorporated into the production. There was constant communication and expertise put into a final film that the entire team are delighted with. We will definitely be working with Breaking Barriers again if the opportunity arises.”

Felix Tasker, Children Heard and Seen

“Breaking Barriers are passionate about what they do and bring with them lots of creativity, energy and enthusiasm. We have found it very easy to work alongside them, as our core values of putting the people at the forefront of our work is a priority we share.”

Shabaz Ahmed, Community Development Officer, Building Bridges Pendle