The idea
The project is centred around the renovation of a currently disused part of the community centre. The aim is to transform it from two decommissioned pottery rooms to a thriving community arts space, which will benefit individuals and groups in the local area & beyond. Room 1 (Wheel Room) will be a multi-use space, fitted out as a workshop/exhibition/meeting space, and functioning office. Room 2 (Kiln Room) will be remodelled to provide up to 5 workspaces for community-focused local artists working across diverse disciplines.
Our Community Arts Hub will support us to combat social isolation and mental ill health through creative interventions, such as accessible arts workshops, community exhibitions and events. As Co-lead on this project, Thortify are committed to continuing their work with community leaders/organisations, professional artists & the public to promote wellbeing & safeguard the role of ‘The Place’ within its community. Room 1 will provide a base for this ongoing work.
What we'll deliver
- Renovate the Wheel & Kiln Rooms
- Provide Workshop space for 5 community focused local artists, working across diverse disciplines
- Provide Workshop/Exhibition/Meeting space for the local community
Why it's a great idea
Following the renovation of both ground-floor rooms, the scope for engaging the community will be both broad and immediate. Our accessible, high-quality, self-sustaining space will support a wide range of activities, artforms and people, including disadvantaged groups, members of the public, artists and local businesses.
Alongside working as a space for signposting to other services, Room 1 will host a varied timetable of drop-in and scheduled arts workshops and events designed to run alongside The Place’s existing activities and elevate its profile as a diverse community space with much to offer.
Our artist workspaces (Room 2) will enable artists to develop socially-engaged practices in an outward-facing environment, while resources produced as part of Thortify’s Arts Council funded project The Art of Self Care, will support the delivery of tried and tested wellbeing workshops, empowering participants to express difficult emotions and develop creative confidence at their own pace.
Steps to get it done
- Undertake plumbing alterations – by end of August 2024
- Undertake electrical alterations – by end of August 2024
- Undertake building alterations – by end of August 2024
- Decorate the two rooms – by end of September 2024
- Recruit artists to be based at the hub – by the end of September 2024
- Acquire furnishings for the two rooms – by the end of October 2024
Initial 3 key impacts: increasing volunteering, jobs & education; supporting arts, culture & heritage and promoting activity, leisure and mental wellbeing.
Community engagement will open up opportunities for new/existing volunteers at The Place to gain work-based skills, while artist workspaces will be allocated to those who are interested in future funded collaborative projects & whose work foregrounds co-creation.
The renovations, together with the events/workshop programme, will draw in local artists & community organisations, making visible the rich heritage of The Place as a building that brings together & celebrates the stories of local people.
Finally, encouraging individuals to use leisure time to support wellbeing is fundamental to Thortify’s core values. The Arts Hub will provide space for resources, regular sessions & events, highlighting the positive impact of engaging in leisure activities to encourage individuals to build healthy habits & develop sustainable self care.
