What does Grassroots mean?
Mally performing live at TOM as part of VIVID: A Reigning Women Celebration, 2025 (photo by Chloe Hashemi)
In an increasingly commercial world, the word “grassroots” is often used, but not always fully understood.
So, what does grassroots mean, really? At The Old Market (TOM), being a grassroots theatre is not just a label – it’s a living, breathing commitment to community, creativity and culture. We wanted to share what it means to us to be Grassroots and why we celebrate it as part of our identity.
What does Grassroots mean?
The term grassroots originates from the idea of something growing naturally from the ground up – unpolished, local and authentic. In the context of arts and culture, it refers to movements, organisations or venues that are developed by and for communities, rather than imposed from above by institutions or corporate interests.
Grassroots spaces are typically:
Independent and community-driven – Want to explore what the local community has to offer as well as provide what they want to see.
Focused on emerging, underrepresented or experimental talent – It’s all well and good to go see the best of the best of well-established groups, but they all started somewhere. We focus on giving emerging talent a place to showcase their creativity and ideas.
Passionate about accessibility and inclusivity – All are welcome in our space.
At its core, grassroots means empowerment, giving a voice to stories that might otherwise go unheard.
Why Grassroots Matters at TOM
The Old Market was founded not by a corporate entity, but by artists: Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, creators of STOMP. Their vision was to breathe life into a historic building and create a cultural home that champions independent creativity and experimentation.
From day one, we’ve embraced our role as a grassroots venue. That means:
Curating bold, diverse programming that supports local artists as much as international names
Offering a stage for new talent through initiatives like Gig for a Gig and #TOMtech
Keeping our doors open to community groups, collectives and causes
Investing in women-led work with Reigning Women
Exploring the frontiers of performance with digital storytelling and immersive tech
We’re not driven by the bottom line; we’re driven by the belief that art should belong to everyone.
A Modern-Day Theatre
Today, being a grassroots theatre also means being resilient. In a world where funding is scarce and creativity is undervalued, venues like TOM are vital incubators of the future.
We champion brave experimentation – not just because it’s interesting, but because it’s necessary. We give space to ideas that don't yet fit into traditional moulds. We celebrate diversity because it reflects the real, living community around us.
When people ask, “What does grassroots mean?”, we say: come and see for yourself. Come to a gig in our intimate Main House, join a workshop in our bar, watch a world premiere or an indie film, or simply connect with something human and meaningful.