A Floating Art Space: Bringing Communities Together Through the arts and Canal life.
The UK’s canal network is a vibrant, thriving community, yet it often remains hidden and on the fringes of many local areas. While we might enjoy walking along the canals or admiring the historic boats, how often do we truly engage with the people who live and work on the waterways?
Several years ago, I made the decision to move onto a canal boat. As a single man with visiting children, it was a challenge in itself, but it was nothing compared to what came next. Tragically, my ex-partner and the mother of my three boys passed away unexpectedly at a very young age. Overnight, I went from being a single guy to a full-time dad living in a tiny space with my three children.
It was during this time that I truly understood the value of the canal boating community. Local boaters, many of whom I had never met before, reached out to offer their support in any way they could—whether it was helping with a tricky mooring, offering advice, or just being there when I needed someone to talk to. The sense of solidarity and camaraderie was overwhelming, and I began to see this small, often overlooked community in a completely new light.
Now, our family lives between a 50ft narrowboat and a 20ft towed canal cruiser, navigating life on the water. Being forced to stop work and focus on being a full-time dad has brought us closer as a family in ways I never imagined. We’ve adjusted to the challenges of this lifestyle, and in many ways, it has strengthened our bond.
However, not everyone understands or appreciates this unique way of life. One day, while moored near a canal-side property in Milton Keynes, a voice shouted from a window, directed at my children: “**** OFF, BOATERS!” While I was initially shocked by such a harsh and unprovoked outburst, it made me realise just how misunderstood the boating community is. Despite living in such close proximity to the wider public, boaters are often ignored or viewed with suspicion.
As a practising artist and a recent graduate in Fine Art, I turned to what I know best; creativity and the arts. I wanted to use art as a tool to bridge the gap between the canal community and the wider public, to celebrate canal life, and to give boaters the recognition they deserve. And so, the idea for The Narrow Art Space was born: a floating art space designed to bring together local communities and the canal boating community through creativity.
What Do We Need?
The long term goal is to raise £200,000 to fully fund this project for first 3 years and to include fair pay for all artists and workshopleaders involved and provide a series of fully funded creative oputunitys
We are first seeking early-stage funding to make this exciting project a reality. The initial crowdfunding campaign will help with setting up a Community Interest Company, marketing efforts and securing further funding for the long-term development of the project.
The Narrow Art Space will serve as a mobile gallery and studio, offering a space for local artists, boaters, and residents to come together, share stories, and explore new ideas through art. By showcasing the wonders of canal life, we hope to foster understanding, empathy, and lasting connections between communities.|
Key Objectives:
Preserve and Promote Local Canal Heritage: We aim to celebrate the rich social and industrial history of our canal system through art projects, storytelling, and educational workshops.
Support Social Inclusion and Well-Being: Our activities are designed to address social isolation and loneliness, particularly within the canal boating community, by offering spaces for connection, creative expression, and shared experiences.
Encourage Positive Mental Health: Engaging in art has proven benefits for mental health, and being surrounded by nature amplifies these effects. The peaceful canal setting and natural environment will provide participants with a calming atmosphere, allowing them to disconnect from the stresses of daily life. Whether through the serenity of the waterway, the beauty of the surrounding landscape, or the simple act of being outdoors, nature has a restorative effect that can help reduce anxiety, improve mood, and increase feelings of well-being. Our art workshops will incorporate the natural environment, encouraging participants to explore their creativity in ways that promote mindfulness, self-expression, and mental clarity.
Foster Community Engagement: By providing workshops, exhibitions, and collaborative projects, we encourage local communities to engage in artistic activities that promote understanding, empathy, and creative expression.
Artist Residency Program: As part of our commitment to supporting artistic talent, we will host a month-long artist residency program on the floating barge. This residency will invite emerging and mid-career artists to live and work on the barge, engaging with the local community through workshops, exhibitions, and collaborative art projects. The residency will provide artists with the opportunity to explore the canal’s rich history and environment, creating new works inspired by the waterway and its communities. In turn, residents will have the chance to mentor local participants, further strengthening ties between the boating and local communities.
How We Will Achieve Our Mission:
Floating Art Space: A converted historic barge will serve as both a gallery and studio, providing a mobile and accessible venue for workshops, exhibitions, and creative activities.
Artist-Led Projects: Local and visiting artists will lead workshops that invite participants to engage with the waterway environment, its history, and its people through the lens of art.
Artist Residency Program: The month-long residency will offer artists time and space to develop new works while fostering deeper connections between artists and the community. Artists will collaborate with local groups, including the canal boating community, to create art that is inspired by shared histories and experiences.
Community Connections: Through collaborative art-making, local residents and members of the boating community will have opportunities to connect, share their stories, and break down barriers.