In a significant loss for the city’s music scene, the renowned music venue SJE Arts is set to close its doors after a 30-year run. The venue, which operates out of St John the Evangelist Church in Oxford, has been a mainstay of the community for decades, hosting a diverse range of musical performances.

The announcement was met with sadness and disappointment

The news of SJE Arts’ closure was announced on its website with a statement from the SJE Arts team, which reads: “With great sadness, we announce the closure of the music programme at SJE Arts from June 30, 2025 (with the exception of a few longstanding bookings in July). This is a decision made by the Board of Trustees of St Stephen’s House, the college that owns the church.

Reasons for closure

The reasons for the closure are largely due to funding issues. The SJE Arts team has expressed gratitude to the audiences and performers who have supported the music programme over the years, stating that they “sincerely hope that they will find new homes and continue to thrive.” However, the main reason for the closure is the college’s inability to continue resourcing the concerts.

The impact on the community

The closure of SJE Arts will have a significant impact on the community, particularly the residents of East Oxford. The venue has been a beloved fixture in the area, hosting a wide range of musical performances, including classical music, jazz, and folk. The loss of this venue will leave the area with one fewer place to listen to Oxford’s fantastic range of musical entertainment and culture.

Highlights of the SJE Arts International Piano Series

The SJE Arts International Piano Series, which was one of the venue’s flagship events, has found a new home at St John’s College, Oxford from autumn 2025. The series, which featured some of the world’s top pianists, showcased the beauty of classical music to audiences from far and wide.

Response from the community

The closure of SJE Arts was met with sadness and disappointment from the community. Paul Wightman of community benefit society Causing a Scene expressed his disappointment, stating: “Having lost so many local music spaces and venues in recent years, including most recently and nearby, the Gladiator Club on Iffley Road, East Oxford Community Centre on Cowley Road and the Port Mahon on St Clement’s. Call to action for community engagement

Emily Kerr, City and county councillor, called for the colleges to engage more positively with their wider local community, stating: “I’ve enjoyed several arts and music performances at SJE. As a local councillor, I know residents really value Oxford colleges making their facilities available to the general public so it’s a shame to see this regressive step from St Stephen’s. Key points

1. SJE Arts will close its doors after a 30-year run due to funding issues.
2. The venue’s closure will have a significant impact on the community, particularly the residents of East Oxford.
3. The SJE Arts International Piano Series has found a new home at St John’s College, Oxford from autumn 2025.

Quote from SJE Arts

“‘We sincerely hope that our audiences and the individuals, ensembles, choirs, orchestras, festivals and promoters who have made music in SJE Arts will find new homes and continue to thrive.’” – Michèle Smith

Call to action

The community is coming together to support the SJE Arts team and the performers who have been affected by the closure. If you would like to get involved or offer support, please contact SJE Arts directly. The SJE Arts team is grateful for any help or support that can be offered during this difficult time.

Conclusion

The closure of SJE Arts marks the end of an era for the city’s music scene. The venue has been a beloved fixture in East Oxford for decades, providing a unique and intimate setting for musical performances. While the SJE Arts International Piano Series has found a new home, the loss of the venue itself is a significant blow to the community. However, the community is coming together to support the SJE Arts team and the performers who have been affected by the closure. With the support of the community, we can work together to ensure that the legacy of SJE Arts lives on.