Gnome House is a beautiful art deco building in the Blackhorse Lane regeneration area of Walthamstow. The ground floor space will include a café, meeting room and large performance, exhibition and workshop space as well as a printmaking workshop and artists’ studios. The performance, exhibition and workshop space and meeting room will be available for public hire, with substantial discounts granted to community organisations. Gnome House is poised to become an artistic hub in a previously neglected area of Walthamstow, nurturing local talent and providing a unique opportunity for members of the local community to experience local art and develop new skills. The funding we are seeking will allow us to provide the best possible experience for our users and in turn ensure that Gnome House gives people another reason to visit Blackhorse Lane. The refurbishment is currently underway and is due to be completed in early 2015. .

What we'll deliver:

• Install a theatrical lighting rig and accessible control system in the workshop/performance space
• Oversee the design and installation of street signage for Gnome House on Blackhorse Lane and at the station
• Purchase 2 folding partitions to divide the large L-shaped workshop/performance space for hire into 2 smaller spaces
• Purchase A/V equipment including 2 x plasma screen, camera, video camera, 2 x projectors and screens
• Purchase acoustic treatment and sound proofing for the building for the workshop/performance area
• Purchase and install a PA system and dance mirrors for music and dance activities
• Purchase and install an audio induction loop
• Purchase and install exhibition hanging system and associated lighting in the exhibition area
• Purchase and install public display units and an exhibition stand to promote activities at Gnome House and locally
• Commission a local artist to create bespoke furniture for our meeting room
• Monitor and evaluate the activities at Gnome House and users of the equipment in the short, medium and long term.
• Purchase ICT hardware and software for efficient running of our booking system and other procedures
• Purchase tiered seating, staging, stacking chairs and tables
• Recruit a freelance Development Manager for a 3 month period to purchase equipment and oversee installation
• Work with developers Macdonald Egan to design and create building signage for Gnome House

Why it's a great idea:

This equipment will allow us to host the high quality programme of activities that we have identified as being most relevant to the needs of our local arts community. Equipping Gnome House with the means to deliver music, dance, theatre and exhibitions will contribute to our vision of establishing the space as a centre of creative excellence that:

• enhances the cultural landscape of the Blackhorse Lane regeneration area and more widely of North East London
• improves social, economic, educational and health outcomes for its users/our community in and around Blackhorse Lane
• celebrates the diverse cultural heritage of the local area
• offers a programme of artistic learning opportunities that are accessible, relevant, engaging and of a high quality.

Making Gnome House an attractive venue for high level artistic activity and community engagement will reinforce Blackhorse Lane's emergence as a Neighbourhood Centre, as outlined in the Blackhorse Lane Area Action Plan.

Steps to get it done:

• Monitor and evaluate equipment usage post installation to report to funders and the community.
• Obtain comparative quotes for equipment and order
• Work in partnership with the building contractor to finalise equipment specifications and installation timeline.
• Work with the building contractor to to programme equipment delivery and installation

The equipment will only be for the hireable spaces in Gnome House. The cafe and printmaking studio run by Inky Cuttlefish will be responsible for equipping their spaces independently over and above any fit-out provided by the developer.

Macdonald Egan, the developers, who have a representative on the Gnome House Community Asset CIC Board of Directors and with Waltham Forest Council's Regeneration Team. Both organisations have pledged in kind and cash contributions to the purchase of signage and equipment for the space.

We are also submitting a bid to Arts Council England for £40,000 for which we need about 50% funds secured from other sources in cash and in kind to stand a good chance of success.

Gnome House is uniquely positioned to provide high quality arts engagement in a previously neglected and run down area of Walthamstow. It has the potential to revitalise the area's cultural infrastructure and serve as a sustainable creative hub for the whole community for years to come,