To raise funds to transform a dilapidated building in Exeter into a community arts space, gallery, darkrooms and artist studios.
by Positive Light Projects in Exeter, England, United Kingdom
The extra funds will help us to transform this dilapidated building into a vibrant community focused creative arts hub open, accessible and welcoming to all.
Reaching our stretch target will help us to pay for more essential works. Building the gallery space, fitting out the darkrooms, purchasing equipment and organising events.
There is a LOT of work that needs doing! Every extra bit will get us closer to the dream.
We are seeking to raise funds for the development of a creative and cultural working and teaching space with a focus on community engagement and collaborative practice in a disused retail unit on Sidwell Street in Exeter.
The intention is to build a creative visual arts hub that operates to support various communities within Exeter and beyond. The space will provide..
Before we can start work on activating the space we need to make the building safe and accessible. The money raised will go towards essential electrical and plumbing works, ensuring wheelchair access and the installation of a disabled loo, renovation of communal work spaces and artist studios, cleaning, painting and decorating, fire safety precautions and a heating system, all to make the building safe, warm and accessible for all.
There is a LOT of work that needs doing! The building has been empty for about five years so it is in a bit of a sorry state! The money we raise will go towards.
All to make the building safe, secure, warm and accessible to all at which point we will deliver an initial exciting range of activities, events and workshops.
Reach out to and serve a broad and diverse range of social groups including marginalised and underrepresented communities in need of inclusive, accessible, motivating and inspiring experiences.
Engage students from Exeter College, Exeter University and local schools and organisations helping them to develop a broader and more sustainable long term creative practice by learning the importance of partnerships and collaboration.
Support independent creative practitioners, especially those with an interest in and commitment to socially engaged participatory practice, helping them to build on and develop their skill sets and expertise, working towards a more sustainable and resilient way of working.
Offer opportunities for local businesses and organisations interested in developing social outreach programmes and in making creative connections with the city.
Explore ways of working safely and appropriately, mindful of the current climate, with an interest in keeping people connected both in and out of a virtual workspace.
Encourage people from outside of the city interested in engaging with the cultural capital of Exeter and the region.
Focus on diversity, inclusion and accessibility, embedding this in all our planning and production so it reflects the full range of backgrounds, perspectives and abilities within our society.
• Create a vibrant social and professional space
• Support local community groups
• Bring footfall to Sidwell Street
• Revitalise a dilapidated building
• Support artists and creative practitioners
• Support local businesses by bringing new trade
• Nuture talent and future local businesses owners
• Make creative connections across sectors
• Encourage new demographic of people to visit the area
• Draw in non Exeter residents to the area
We know that we may not have this building forever. The area is ripe for redevelopment and we are aware there are longer term plans for this to happen. What this space will allow us to do is set up an exciting and engaging community based creative space and to put in place the structures and resources needed for the organisation and its ethos to develop and thrive. It will allow us to build connections with local community groups, artists and organisations and to create a working model that we can take with us if/when we are moved on at some point in the future. We don’t know how long we will have this building for, but we do know we will create some life changing opportunities and experiences in it in the time we will have.
Positive Light Projects is a not for profit organisation using photography to engage and inspire a diverse range of audiences and communities as well as developing emerging photographers and aiding them move their practise forward in exciting and innovative ways.
Based in Exeter, Devon, we have a focus on and strong belief in community based, socially engaged creative practise. Previous projects include The Dartmoor Summer School of Photography.
This project is made possible by the generous support of
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