Acme Studios — Engine Room at Acme Propeller Factory

Supporting Artists since 1972

Artists are the engine of cultural life.

Engine Room is a new pilot programme at Acme Propeller Factory providing exhibition and event space for artists, cultural practitioners and collectives in London.

Developed in response to the growing challenges artists face in accessing space to present work, Engine Room creates opportunities to test ideas, share practices and connect with audiences without curatorial restrictions.

Located within Acme Propeller Factory, Engine Room takes its name from the building's industrial heritage and the role artists play in driving cultural life forward.

The pilot programme provides access to exhibition and event space for artist-led activity, supporting experimentation, public presentation, learning and exchange.

It is equally open to Acme tenants and non-tenants, as well as student groups supported by educational institutions and non-profit arts and cultural organisations. Applicants may use the space to develop or present work and explore new ways of working with audiences and communities.

In line with its charitable remit, Acme is committed to making the space accessible to a diverse range of users, particularly those who may face financial or structural barriers to accessing high-quality cultural space in London, and will be taking a non-curatorial approach to the allocation of hire space.

What can happen here?

Engine Room supports a broad range of artist-led and cultural activity, including:

  • Artist-led solo and group exhibitions
  • Exhibitions by educational institutions
  • Freelance curator-led exhibitions and projects
  • Exhibitions organised by not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations
  • Workshops, crit groups, symposia and courses

Proposals not considered are:

  • Private functions, including parties and weddings
  • Commercial hires such as fashion shows and shoots, filming, advertising or promotional videos
  • Film, photography or commercial content production not related to the public outcome
  • Events that involve amplified sound that carries beyond the closed door of the Engine Room and for significantly prolonged periods
  • One day events that have not been included in the application proposal
  • Activities that cannot be safely delivered within the space
  • Proposals without adequate staffing, supervision or invigilation
  • Activities that do not comply with Acme’s Health & Safety requirements
  • Activities that have been deemed by Acme as being counter to our organisational values or present legal, safeguarding or reputational risks

Acme will ensure a mix of hire duration periods are offered as part of the scheduling process.

Fair access to space

Acme does not assess applications on the basis of artistic quality, subject matter or curatorial preference.

Applications are assessed for eligibility, suitability for the space and the ability to be delivered safely and responsibly.

Where demand exceeds available dates, bookings are allocated through a random selection process, ensuring a fair and transparent approach to access.

Inside Engine Room

A flexible ground-floor exhibition, events and other public activities space within Acme Propeller Factory.

Features include:

  • Step-free access
  • Ceiling-mounted projector
  • Integrated sound system
  • Three power sockets
  • Shared access to basic kitchen facilities for event purposes
  • 30 chairs and two folding tables
  • Close to New Cross, Deptford and Deptford Bridge stations

Download floor plan and measurements here, and view photos of the space here.

Programme schedule

Engine Room offers:

  • 1-week bookings
  • 2-week bookings
  • 3-week bookings
  • 4-week bookings

Available from November 2026 to summer 2027.

Cost

In line with its provision of affordable studios Acme is committed to providing a safe and compliant sustainable resource for artists at the lowest possible cost it can deliver. Space hire costs reflect the financial burden of providing this resource, so that it does not impact adversely on other Acme activity.

Hire costs are £650 per week, plus a refundable £150 key, damage and clearance deposit. Full payment is required 28 days before the start of the hire period.

Weekly hire is the minimum hire period available, and is necessary even for one-off singular events.

Access information

Engine Room is committed to providing an accessible environment for participants and visitors within the current constraints of the structure of our building.

  • Ground-floor location
  • Step-free access
  • Accessible application formats available on request
  • Public transport links nearby

Next steps

If you wish to apply, you will need to submit an application and demonstrate eligibility.

Deadline: 12 midday, Friday 9 October 2026

We will notify all applicants via email on 16 October 2026.

If you would like to receive the application information in an accessible PDF or Word document, please contact [email protected].

If you have any questions about the programme or application process, please get in touch at [email protected].

As the space is currently closed to the public and unstaffed we are unable to facilitate individual site visits.

If you are interested in viewing the space, join us for a panel discussion event on 28 September. Please register here.

You can explore previous events held in the Engine Room (previously known as the Hub) below.