Let's buy 21 St Nicholas street Diss and secure the future of designermakers21 the home of designermakersCIO. ------ We organise workshops, public demonstrations, and open access events that teach and promote the practice of traditional and contemporary craft skills.
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The Final Push!
After nearly a year of frantic activity at designermakers21 we have nearly achieved our goal of raising the funds needed to buy 21 St Nicholas street and secure the future of designermakersCIO for the benefit of artisans and craft lovers in Diss, East Anglia and beyond.
We have, so far, raised £230,000 towards the needed purchase target of £250,000.
We are so close!
With just 2 months to go we need to raise the final £20,000, all donations are needed donations, so please give what you can and help secure the future of designermakers21 the home of designermakersCIO.
Who are we, what do we do?
designermakersCIO was established to promote, improve and advance education in, and appreciation of the arts. This is achieved through the facilitation and management of workshops and training courses in different design and craft skills, with the aim of engaging with people of all ages through creative arts.
We have established a creative hub - designermakers21 - at 21 St Nicholas street, in the centre of Diss, Norfolk, where we have been fulfilling our mission objectives for the past 10 years.
We nurture and promote the appreciation of traditional and contemporary crafts through the provision of:
- Workshops, demonstrations and taster days, in traditional and contemporary craft processes for diverse participants and audiences.
- Community engagement in local and national arts events; working with local schools and forming active partnerships with arts organisations.
- Studios and exhibition spaces for professional craftspeople to create and exhibit high quality work.
- Mentoring opportunities for emerging makers / artists.
The core activities of demonstrating art and crafts by members are available to the general public, free of charge between 10am and 5pm, for three days a week at designermakers21, 21 St Nicholas Street, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4LB.
In addition, paid individual classes and workshops are available during these times and throughout the week. Courses are tailored to specific levels of experience of participants from beginner to advanced practitioner.
- The community Gallery is used for exhibiting artwork of members, local and special groups and the public.
- Links with special interest groups or those with particular needs are also run throughout the year.
The imperative to purchase 21 St Nicholas street
For 10 years designermakers21 has been based at 21 St Nicholas street, leasing the premises on very generous terms. The Landlords want to sell the premises and are keen for designermakersCIO to become the new owners. To this end we have been fundraising, with some success:
We have secured a major grant from the Government's Community Ownership Fund, covering half of the £250,000 purchase price. A grant from The Foyle Foundation and numerous other grants, combined with our own vigorous fundraising, have brought our total to £230,000, we need £20,000 to get us 'over the line'.
Owning 21 St Nicholas street will open the door to grants and funding that will enable us to make essential repairs to the structure of this magnificent Victorian building.
For now we need to buy 21 St Nicholas street to secure the designermakersCIO legacy. Post-purchase we will look to improve the fabric and efficiency of what will be the permanent home of desigermakersCIO.
We do hope you will be able to donate to our campaign - Let's Buy this Building!