Chisenhale Art Place was born out of a need by artists to find new secure premises after their eviction, in the late 1970's from Butler's Wharf. The search was concentrated in East London where vast numbers of buildings lay empty and four months later Chisenhale works was offered by Tower Hamlets Council. The building which had been derelict for the previous decade was a mess. Rubbish and graffiti had to be removed, roofing, electrics, glazing, walls and doors all had to be installed.

To begin with there was no financial support.
A committee was formed and daily rotas were put together; teams were organised, headed by those with useful skills like glazing or welding and each artist 'clocked-in' for two days a week.

The work was hard and continuous but by the end of the first year Chisenhale Studios, albeit incomplete, had well and truly arrived. By 1982 the artists felt established enough to hold their first Open Studios event.

Incorporated into their plans was a gallery and education programme as they felt contact with the public, particularly the local community, was important.
Education projects were begun within local schools. The most ambitious of these, initiated and co-ordinated by the artists, was 'The Map Project'. This involved local schools, who each made 3-dimensional maps of their own areas. Such was it's popularity that new projects were offered along with financial support and contact with local schools was established.

Of the original 35 artists who started the studios going, 12 remain. As artists move out, new ones are taken into use the vacated studio spaces. A chronological waiting list is kept and over the years this flow of artists has lead to changes. Artists now work in a more individual way but the range of work being produced is as diverse as ever.

A great deal has been achieved : artists have secure spaces built to suit their needs; regular Open Studios events are held, the Gallery, the Studios and the education work are well organised and despite their independent development artists are still involved at all levels.