By: Bernard Clarke, 02 September 2023
It’s all happening
We have spent a good part of the last month planning and working to move things forward.
The great news is that we are in the process of setting up as a charity and have our first trustees.
We are still looking for the ideal location and will continue to seek out the perfect spot. We will work with groups and the council to help us find the perfect place for our wonderful arts centre.
We have a number of meetings planned with organisations that can help us on our journey and we will continue to keep you in the loop as we progress.
Our Aims
Long term we aim to have:
- a performance space
- gallery, studios for artists at a reduced rate
- maker spaces
- shop
- cafe
- sponsorship from local businesses for commissions and residencies
- established sources of funding so that we can provide security and make some of the roles professional rather than voluntary
Short term we want to build up engagement with groups within our community and start doing what we can straight away – which may well be borrowed gallery space in empty shopfronts, running mobile maker spaces from a minibus with donated or found materials… building up knowledge and gathering expertise around us to agree a vision, specific aims and a business plan to get there.
We are talking with local artists about maybe a non-hierarchical arts collective to be the heart and soul of the adventure, and a more formal Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with trustees, bank account etc to act as protective armour around the heart. By the time you have read this much more will have happened. We will keep you up to date as progress is made.
And don’t forget – if you would like to be involved please do get in touch.