Help Build a Community Pottery Studio in Ayr!
Ayr, South Ayrshire, United Kingdom
Aim: We hope to open a community pottery studio in Ayr, Scotland, offering a range of workshops, studio memberships, pottery markets and more!
What do we hope to achieve?
We hope to open a community pottery studio, a space that brings people together to be creative and enjoy the process of making pottery. Where we can all learn and grow together, find calm and joy while trying a new hobby. Whether looking for a good chat or some peace and quiet, I hope everyone can find a happy home in our studio.
How will we do it?
We will offer a range of workshops and studio memberships, host pottery markets and collaborate with other local businesses.
We will apply for funding across any recognised and relevant bodies. We will also run our own crowd funder in the community to raise the funds needed for initial equipment and rental costs.
Background
As an Ayrshire local and pottery enthusiast, I’ve long dreamed of a community space for people to get together to create, chat and have fun with clay. Having found my love for clay through workshops and self led learning in community studios across Manchester & Glasgow over the last 5 years, I’d love to bring more opportunities like this to the people of Ayr.
How will we use the money raised?
Here is a breakdown of exactly what we would spend the money on based on the current prices and information available to us. Based on how much we raise, we will prioritize the essential equipment and studio space costs to ensure we have the best chance possible to get off the ground!
From there, we will continue to re-invest all of our profits into the project in order to grow and expand the equipment and features available at our studio for all of our members.
Please note: we will also accept material donations and apply for other funding sources to help cover these costs too.
This includes applying for CrowdFunder & Creative Scotland's fantastic Crowdmatch Programme & entering the competition for another brilliant opportunity with Muddy Stilettos & CrowdFunder. See more about both of these campaigns below:
Creative Scotland Crowdmatch with CrowdFunder
Built by Her, Backed by Us with Muddy Stilettos x CrowdFunder
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Sooooo... The Budget!!
Essential Equipment: £4460
Pottery Kiln: £3210
Pottery Wheel: £1050
Hand Tools Estimate: £200
Studio Materials: £600
Clay Estimate: £400
Glaze Estimate: £200
Building Materials: £300
For building our own tables, chairs, shelving & sink trap.
Wood & other materials: £300
Studio Running Costs: £5600
(These numbers are subject to change based on the properties and supplier contracts available)
Deposit Estimate: £3750
Monthly Running Costs Estimate: £1850
Ideally we would raise enough to cover initial equipment and material costs, and hopefully the first few months of studio running costs, alongside a deposit to secure our studio space. Anything else we raise after covering our initial costs above, would go towards our ongoing studio running costs and improvements going forward.
Donate to our Project!
To get off the ground, we need your support!
And you’ll receive benefits in return, such as membership discounts, free workshops, stickers, tote bags and more! See the rewards section to choose your preferred option.
Let’s be honest; initial equipment and rental costs aren’t cheap, and remain the biggest hurdle to projects like this getting an opportunity to begin.
As funding in this sector becomes more limited, options like CrowdFunder give us a chance to bring an idea to fruition through direct support from our community.
We’re a hard-working, do-it-yourself kind of team, so we’ll be getting stuck in renovating and building as much as we can to make the studio the best place to be and a true asset to our whole community. And we can share our progress with you along the way!
We hope to be able to welcome you in our doors soon :)
Any Questions?
Send us an email, or message us directly on Instagram or Facebook.
If you have any relevant equipment you'd like to donate or time and skills you'd like to volunteer with to help this project, please reach out!
Register Interest in a Workshop or Membership
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 31st July 2025 at 11:50pm