axis is a centre for excellence with the community at its heart. It was founded by a number of community development organisations and artists resident in the community and opened to the public in 2001. In May 2004 an Arts Executive was appointed with responsibility for the centre and for the dedicated provision of high quality arts experiences for arts practitioners and public in Ballymun and the greater Dublin area.

axis aims to improve local availability of expertise, advice and information, both through the arts programme and by relationships with groups, individuals and organisations within Ballymun and the wider arts community in Ireland and abroad. Such relationships are central to the ethos of axis, and are achieved by facilitating a range of opportunities for meaningful encounters and enhanced experiences.

axis houses a state-of-the-art theatre, dance studio, gallery, arts and crafts workroom, music rehearsal rooms, recording studios, conference centre suite, office space, crèche and a café and events bar. It is also the working home of a range of highly active community development organisations.