Sidney + Matilda is the latest addition to Sheffield’s vibrant contemporary arts scene, located in a prime spot on the edge of the Cultural Industries Quarter. Artist, curator, producer and general entrepreneur Al Daw founded the gallery and social club in a former paper factory. The idea to set up a space here in Sheffield came off the back of his past experience with self-initiated projects across various sites in London, along with his fascination in Sheffield’s dormant industrial buildings. Al set up Sidney + Matilda to challenge some of the traditional hierarchical models that exist in the art world. A key way that the space achieves this is that it also functions as a bar and a club, opening itself up to a multitude of people and encouraging an alternative gallery experience that is both unpretentious and takes art seriously at the same time.