Home of Abject gallery, Moving gallery, Pilgrim studios and workshop space in Sunderland city centre.

The redevelopment of part of the Athenaeum building has been made possible through support and partnership with Sunderland City Council and SIB - Social Investment Business.

The Athenaeum building was once an important cultural hub for the city of Sunderland, playing an important role in the development of culture, design, engineering and photography in the region. Originally opened in 1843, Creative Culture Trust in partnership with Breeze Creatives have once again opened up the Athenaeum building to the public after extensive investment in the creation of studios, creative work space and office space -alongside a new extension to Abject Gallery with a Sunderland location. Abject Gallery’s international focus intends to bring contemporary art work from all over the world to Sunderland audiences.

The final step of the redevelopment was to create much needed exhibition space for local artists and creatives, with rolling monthly programmes creating opportunities for all artists at all stages in the their careers. If you are an artist or creative wishing to exhibit, please get in touch: creativeculturetrustCIO@gmail.com

The Athenaeum is managed by Breeze Creatives CIC cultural management company who programme and create the buildings activity. For more information on Breeze Creatives visit: www.breezecreatives.com

The Athenaeum houses artists studios and graduate studio space for more information regarding studio rental and visits please email alex@breezecreatives.com

The building also houses a contemporary, internationally focused gallery - Abject gallery, for more information  please visit  https://breezecreatives.com/abject-gallery or email info@abject.gallery