The
Challenge
Stroud
Valleys Artspace, which offers support for 80 members and studio
space for 30 artists and craftspeople, sent out a questionnaire
to its members about their ICT needs. The returns identified
that skills were needed to help with portfolio presentation,
marketing and promotion and the artistic use of technology.
 |
| A
Stroud Artspace member at work |
Developing
the idea
"We
did quite a lot of research first, contacting other artist-led
resource centres in the country which had accessed funding from
many sources," says Jo Leahy, Artspace Artistic Director.
"We
applied for Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) funding through
Gloucestershire County Council's Economic Development Unit.
It was a big learning curve to prepare a bid for SRB funding,
but we were very pleased to have done it, and we can now look
at making other bids with more confidence."
Making
it happen
"We
purchased ICT equipment and concentrated on training courses
to support home-learning. It made a huge difference to our members
and to the organisation - for example, we were able to produce
the guide to our annual Open Studios event in-house, saving
money and time; we trained up three artists in the studios to
produce layouts - thereby reducing costs and training people
at the same time.
"There
are regular users, with technical support offered on one day.
Due to demand, we have also turned a space we used for traditional
print making into a digital print workshop.
Keeping
it going
"We
have been promoting the resource areas, getting technical advice
from the digital artists who can also teach others. We found
the people with the skills we needed from the artists network.
The digital resource can grow and grow.
"Monthly
artists meetings are held and there is a resource steering committee
comprising IT and digital artists and someone with financial
experience. When we first started, we didn't know anyone in
the area, but making contact with one leads to others."
In addition to its artist members, Artspace has associate members
who for an annual membership fee of £15 can also use the facilities.
Key
tips
- Find out what people need and want first - conduct a questionnaire
- Talk to other organisations who have done the same thing
- learn from them
- If you want to introduce technology, make sure you have
enough technical support
- Be clear about the benefits, particularly when you are bidding
for funds
- Have people with technical and financial experience on board
who can help and advise you
- Open up the resources to others to generate income
- Train more people to help broaden the network of support
Contact:
Stroud Valleys Artspace, tel: 01453 751440 or see the website
Who
can help?
Key organisations that could offer help and support in the development
of your ideas. Their details can be found in the Contacts
Directory. Further information on funding sources is
available from Gloucestershire County Council's Economic Development
Unit on 01452 425702.
Funding
sources
|
Other useful contacts
|
- Charitable
trusts
- Gloucestershire
County Council
- National
Lottery
- Single
Regeneration
-
BudgetStroud
District Council
|
-
Business Link Gloucestershire
- Colleges
- Co-operative
Futures
- Gloucestershire
County Council
- Arts
Development Officer
- Learning
and Skills Council
- South
West Arts
|
