Artspace wants to host an open weekend celebrating 10 years of providing a space for the local community to create art. We hope to launch a programme of free workshops and sessions to take place in January and February 2023. Currently, to pay the rent, Artspace works with many talented local people to offer a wide array of workshops such as sewing courses for adults and young people, family craft sessions, art classes, and craft classes such as papier mache models. We would like to offer stand alone activities and workshops free of charge to our local community so that we are accessible to all members of our community. This would include an afternoon Sewing class for Young People, a free childrens craft session during school holidays and for adults, a sewing Class and Art and Craft classes. This programme of events would be launched at the open day to be delivered during January and February 2023 to bring some winter cheer!.

What we'll deliver:

• One 3 hour Sewing for Young People Class - make a skirt/tote bag
• One 3 hour Sewing for Beginners Class- make a tote bag/simple garment
• One 2 hour Family craft session -30 child spaces available
• One 2 hour taster art class delivered by an experienced tutor.
• One 3 hour Life Drawing session for adults by an experienced tutor

Why it's a great idea:

Artspace strives to offer a space for all members of the local Macclesfield Community and Surrounding areas to come and create, whatever their ability or financial circumstances. We have many volunteers involved in our charity whose roles vary from helping from out at sessions, helping with our marketing and newsletter and keeping the place clean and tidy. For many the volunteering is a way of building up confidence to move on to their next step, managing mental health by providing company and routine and combatting social isolation. We also provide employment opportunities for local artists to run workshops in our space. The busier we are, the more all those who work with us will benefit. By offering a varied programme of free workshops we are providing all members of our community with the opportunity to come and learn a new skill and meet new people and have fun whatever their budget. This is particularly poignant where households are struggling with a cost of living crisis.

Steps to get it done:

• Clear the large area of clutter where the exhibition will be placed
• Create a reception area to welcome guests
• Design the exhibition layout and contents
• Plan the workshop and taster activities- event timings
• Purchase the materials required for the activites
• Organise a volunteer rota for the event and allocate tasks such as deliver a taster session or host refreshments.
• Prepare marketing for the event and to promote free workshops