About ‘a space arts’ / New Projects
a space: growing creative communities strives to provide opportunities for emerging artists to make new work and for audiences in Southampton and the surrounding regions to engage with high quality artistic experiences.
We achieve this through a growing infrastructure of project platforms, currently consisting of the Bargate Monument Gallery, ArtVaults, the Arches studios and Tower House - our latest studio project offering ‘clean’ workspace (anything that doesn’t make a mess, you know, new media, writing, animation etc).
At a space we believe that art can be many things, including painting, drawing and sculpture but also installation, intervention, photography, performance and the moving image. It can take up whole spaces or tiny corners, be imposing and impressive or discreet and beautiful. It might sometimes be controversial, and may not always be everyone’s taste – but will always be stimulating, new and certainly never dull!
Tower House – Creative Spaces |Creative People
Associates Packages Now Available
Tower House is a new project offering affordable workspace in a growing creative community.
The project is now offering Associate packages that will allow you to establish or grow your business.
Tower House is a character location in Southampton’s Old Town area located on Winkle Street / Town Quay Road.
Associate spaces present an ideal opportunity for any creative fledging enterprises, home based businesses or recent graduates to professionalise their environment, work alone or with colleagues, meet clients, plot, plan, discuss and design… or whatever you need to do that is clean and creative!
£50 per month (inclusive of all utility bills) / Easy In – Out Agreements / 24-7 Site Access / Access to Associates space with sofa area and board table / wifi environment / business postal address
For further information or to arrange a viewing please contact Daniel Crow on 07780 60 22 30 or dan@aspacearts.org.uk
Read on for further info regarding the Bargate Monument Gallery, ArtVaults ans the Arches studios and.
The Bargate Monument Gallery
The Arches studios
www.archesstudios.org.uk – check it out!
The Arches studios gives emerging artists a base from which they can develop and grow their practices, whilst also providing Southampton with a new cultural dynamic; one of assisting creative talents at a grass roots level.
Through invaluable funding from the Southampton Partnership and SEEDA, alongside support from Southampton City Council, the Arches studios project was born in 2004. The catalyst for this came from the city’s awareness that support was required to assist Southampton’s creative talent. By converting old storage arches under the historic Central Bridge an affordable and supportive environment has been created.
In February 2005 Arch 10 opened offering seven spaces, closely followed by Arch 8 in September, offering a further nine. The sites have since been expanded across Arches 7 and 4 to now offer space for 23 residents, alongside a high quality, hireable workshop.
The conversion and establishment of the Arches contributes to the city’s creative economy and marks a significant turning point in what Southampton offers those pursuing a career in the creative industries.
Applications to join the Arches studios can be submitted throughout the year; with new residents being inducted through a biannual selection panel.
For further information please contact the arts organisation a space
ArtVaults
ArtVaults has grown over four summer seasons through exhibiting contemporary works of art by emerging artists, across the medieval vaults of Southampton’s old town. ArtVaults is a free and popular event, with over 69,000 visitors enjoying the opportunity to explore Southampton’s heritage and to discover new works of art.
ArtVaults has successfully grown through the support of corporate sponsorship and we would like to take the opportunity to thank INEOS, the projects’ principal supporters in 2007 and 2008, as without their vision and investment the event would not have flourished. We would also like to extend our gratitude to FOSMAG, Southampton City Council and Arts & Business who have also supported the project.
There is now an opportunity for a new sponsor to benefit from this unique and intriguing project as ArtVaults is on the brink of gaining national recognition. If you or your company are interested in reaching thousands of people and delivering a business objective, be that raising profile, staff development or brand awareness, please contact the arts organisation a space for further details of the opportunities available.
ArtVaults will take a breather this summer as the organisation develops new projects and crucially seeks a new corporate partner. We look forward to relaunching the project in 2011 once again animating Southampton’s medieval underground through contemporary art.
Please visit www.artvaults.org.uk for further information about the vaults & installations.
History
In July 2000 the organisation’s founding members became frustrated with the limited opportunities emerging artists had in Southampton and set about laying the foundations to an organisation that could bring about a lasting change.
Our first step in establishing an infrastructure was to initiate a gallery space. The Northam Rd gallery launched the arts organisation and opened its doors to the public on the 22nd of October 2002. Through this initial space we were able to test ideas and develop an identity. Over our time there, approximately two and a half years, 35 exhibitions were staged and the foundations laid upon which an organisation could be built.
We subsequently moved our main gallery and HQ from Northam Rd to the Bargate, a scheduled ancient monument, located in the centre of Southampton. The monument features as the Southampton City Council logo and is significantly prestigious building within the city. Through the Bargate Monument Gallery we are now able to secure an integral element to the infrastructure we are building; a well-located gallery, exclusively exhibiting works by emerging visual artists. This move is of great importance to the organisation and enables us to effectively work on a regional platform.
Whilst a space is a young arts organisation we have added a new dimension to the cities cultural offer by stimulating interest and inclusion at a grass roots level.