Our vision is to unlock creativity by embracing authentic care, amplifying untold stories, and forging new creative pathways.
Our mission is to champion and produce diverse artistic projects that challenge perspectives through text, theatre, and live performance, while prioritising authentic care for artists, participants, and audiences.
At Gateway Arts, a disabled-led company, inclusivity is foundational to our ethos. We uphold the following values:
We prioritise the well-being of individuals above all else, recognising that we are people first and foremost. Our aim is to cultivate an environment where everyone feels valued, supported and heard to do their best work.
We recognise the power of collaboration in creating thought-provoking work. By working together, we can achieve greater impact and innovation.
We are committed to remaining progressive and responsive to the evolving needs of society, ensuring that our work serves our community to the best of our ability.
In 2019, I founded Gateway Arts to carve my own path in the creative world. Despite an unconventional journey— studying Psychology rather than Dance or Theatre— I found solace in dance and storytelling. Dance became my outlet and stories were my friends. I realised my different beginnings meant that instead of knocking and sometimes pushing at the bolted gates to open a jar, I had to climb the fence or dig a hole to create a Gateway, an artist’s way, so I formed Gateway Arts to provide artists like myself a platform for expression.
Our mission is clear: To create experimental theatre in every sense of the word and cultivate artistic fulfilment whilst doing so. We seek to develop and produce theatre works in all forms that challenge the status quo and champion untold stories.
Now, at a pivotal moment, Gateway Arts is poised to expand and excel. Our guiding principle, radical care which means for us to authentically care for our community of artists, ensures that we remain focused on creating gateways for artists to do their best work and empowering artists to thrive.
Artistic Director
Artistic Director
Sonny Nwachukwu, is a Writer, Director, and the Founder of Gateway Arts. Sonny crafts dynamic and thought-provoking multidisciplinary works across writing, poetry, dance, and theatre. With a keen focus on the African Diaspora, Sonny intertwines dance and literature in his storytelling, delving into unspoken subjects influenced by his background in Psychology.
Trained in the rich traditions of West African and dancehall styles, he has performed on stages such as Sadler’s Wells and SSE Wembley Stadium with his performances.
Sonny's own artistic endeavors have garnered him commissions and acclaim, notably his Choreopoem "Saturn Returns," which headlined the Unlimited festival at the Southbank Centre. He is closely affiliated with organisations like the Soho Theatre, Graeae Theatre Company, and Tamasha. His literary talent has earned nominations for prestigious awards, and has published his works by Team Angelica. He is a trustee of Unlimited.
Through Gateway Arts, Sonny aims to empower artists to break new ground with authentic care at the heart of the artistic practice.
Producer
Producer
Michael is a creative producer with over a decade of experience working across dance, theatre, live performance, fashion and film. He works in dialogue with artists to create performances, live & online events, participation projects and festivals. Turning concepts into creation, Michael shapes events, productions and projects, underpinned by a strong understanding of the cultural industries.
Michael supports artists, choreographers and communities to realise their ideas; from independent research and development, to large scale intergenerational outdoor participation projects. Skilled in fundraising, Michael helps clients secure investments and develop creative partnerships.
Gateway Arts would like to acknowledge: Jean Abreu, Toni Adebajo, Tobi Adebajo, Jordan Ajadi, Laurel Ashton, Jordi M Carter, Matthew Carnazza, Ffion Campbell Davies, Ashley Cole, Rhys Dennis, Luke Elliott, DK Fashola, Bethany Gemmell, Ali Gordon, Ben Glover, Rudzani Moleya, Myah Jeffers, Joshie Harriette, Jessie Huckin, Elaine Lillian Joseph, Floyd Konde, Durassie Kiangangu, Dauda Ladejobi, Susie Italiano, Edgar Bermon, John R Gordon, Naomi Rueben, Angela Poulima, Team Angelica, Dr Masum Rahim, Barak Ade Soleil, Gurpreet Singh, Viki Szep, Jack Thomson, Xana
Gateway Arts would like to thank our partners past and present for their continued support of our work: Poplar Union, Hackney Showroom, Graeae, Unlimited, Southbank Centre, The Space, Arts Admin, Queens Theatre Hornchurch, Brixton hoUSE.Riley Theatre, NSCD, Toussaint to Move, Team Angelica, STAMMA, Liberty Festival, Colours Festival.
Arts Council England, National Lottery Project Grants , Unlimited, Paul, Hamlyn Foundation
2024 - Awarded Complicite Artists Residency
2022 - Saturn Returns was Nominated for Best Choreography Black British Theatre Awards
2022 - Associate Artist at Graeae Theatre Company in London.
2021 - Nominated for Jerwood Compton Poetry Fellowships
2020 - Soho Writers Lab and Graeae Beyond Programme
2019 - Tamasha Director Programme
Soon we will begin our recruitment for our Advisory Board. Click here to contact us and find out more about how to join our advisory board.
