ARTISTS TALKING

# 1 [17 May 2007]

We finally have the keys  - despite the solicitors inflicting torture for nearly 6 months. And what a buliding! It's actually the first floor of a lace factory with red bricks, turrets and lots of natural light. Furthermore it's in fantastic condition and has the dimensions to set up 18 studios which are approx 200 sq ft.

And the pitfalls? Well, there are no artists' studios in Long Eaton. Nottingham and Derby are a good 20 minutes away. On the plus side, the public transport is excellent with trains & buses and the occasional  barges. Only joking -  they don't offer passenger services!
We've had a big push this week to get the partitions made. My partner Jem has taken a week off work to crack on. Sheila and Kristian Ravnkilde have also been stars and sacrificed a lot of time to help.

We've had to do it ourselves because Mr Peabody quoted £25,000. Funny money!  We did think about going to the Arts Council for funding but it takes 12 weeks for an application to be processed. As everyone knows there are no guarantees. In the meantime you have loans, service charges and other bill racking up -  and an empty building. This way we are able to get artists in as the partitions are erected.
We have 8 studios ready, with 6 occupied so 2 are up for grabs. We have other artists signed up later on, including a couple of students who are taking a space over the summer.
There is also the strong possibility that will be able to offer a bursary for a  residency for a graduate, with support for exhibitions etc. Watch this space.

Been cutting wood all day today to create 3 partitions. That's a lot of timber and a lot of cutting. 78ft x 6ft of studding. Quite boring, but necesary. Have pre-drilled the holes for the studding and they are now ready for assembly.

# 2 [19 May 2007]

Been sorting out press-releases to publicise the studios as we have completed more partitons and HMS will be having an open day on Sunday 27th May 12:00 - 3:00. As I am naturally quite shy, I don't find it easy. Even winning a raffle fills me with dread because of the unwelcome spotlight on the winner. But I have to overcome this problem as I have a small marketing budget and the papers are a good way of reaching a big audience. After ringing up the offices for a contact, I've e-mailed a press-release.  Will follow up on Monday.
Jem was doing the spreadsheets yesterday. I'm glad he's willing because I find it tedious. He is dealing with that side of things, including the licenses. Our license agreements are based on those of Southwell Artspace. Henrietta Clavering who used to run it (she's on maternity leave) has been fantastic - giving lots of valuable advice relating to public liabiliy insurance and contacts.
I have a wonderful volunteer, Kathryn who isn't an artist but wants to get involved in the arts. She is researching funding and the possibility of creating a curatorial space. I feel very priviledged she wants to help. Lori, who also has a space at Sand Assembly is taking a double space at HMS, has been helping with cladding. There are some v good artists at HMS but they are also v nice!

# 3 [22 May 2007]

I was busy til 10 last night on studio business. The morning was spent chasing press-releases.  I think we will have coverage in the Nottingham Evening Post and the Derby Evening Telegraph. I've also emailed NCan (an organisation based in Nottingham for artists and arts organisations) who are passing the details on. Tomorrow, I'm off to a Creative Industries Network event at Wirksworth to spread the word. My business cards arrived this morning so I'll be able to give them out.
We are having an open day on Sunday between 12:00 - 3:00pm. 8 studios are ready but only 2 are available as the others are taken. Another artist rang to confirm she is moving in on Friday. I have to be confident we can fill them, I think?

I have been updating the website with artists' webpages which can be a delicate issue. I even worry about the thumbnails as you invariably have to crop the images. The artists are generally pleased, though obviously they are able to spot errors much better than me.
I once did a post grad course on business in arts practice. Research, business plans, marketing etc - I am putting all that theory into practice. I prefer painting.

# 4 [5 June 2007]

I'm having trouble finding the time to write this. When I'm not erecting partitions, doing admin, updating the website etc I'm sleeping. We signed up 3 artists this week - including the Dean of Derby Uni. Nearly all the artists who see the spaces sign up.  We just need to get people round. My press-releases didn't work so I'll just have to find a "story".

# 5 [12 June 2007]

Great news! Erewash Borough council have given formal confirmation of a bursary for a residency at HMS. This will cover the cost of a space for a year.  Laura, the ADO approached Derby Uni with the proposal who immediately threw in a materials grant. This is great but also slightly embarassing because I had already mentioned the project to staff at  Nottingham Trent. Naturally, the extra money from Derby means it will go to a Derby graduate. What has been refreshing has been the marketing. Erewash have produced a leaflet and are sorting out the selection process (which will include me). Laura is sorting out some major marketing too. With the weight of the council behind HMS the chances of exposure must be greater.
The partitions are coming on too. A big push has meant we have only 4 spaces to complete. We have made a decision to make 3 smaller ones. It means slightly less rent but it will mean we are able to create a wide walkway with a long partition, 33ft x 9ft. This can be used for meetings, exhibitions, projections etc. As the partitons are demountable, we can change the format if it doesn't work out

See the progress

# 6 [15 June 2007]

Sent in the funding application to the arts council. Originally we wanted £35,000 to build partitions, sought out the electrics, plumbing etc. As this exceded £5000 it would have taken at least 12 weeks before we had an answer. We decided to go for something more modest, especially as arts funding has been cut in favour of the Olympic Games. Also, the process is quicker and we should know in 6 weeks. The priority is the electrics. We are woefully low on power points and the lighting is poor. The lowest estimate is £8000+ so we will have to raid our pension pot.  I checked with the visual arts officers if I needed a letter from them to send with the application. They assured me I didn't. I hand delivered the document of 40pages plus last week, relieved it was out of the way. (Anyone who has jumped through the hoops will know what I'm talking about.)
Then the bad news. A phonecall on Wednesday to prepare me for a letter from the Arts Council telling me my application was invalid as I had not included the required letter. Apologies from the staff as the had given me the wrong advice. I have to wait for the letter giving me permission to apply. I can't resubmit the original application form, but more trees have to be sacrificed to tick the Arts Council boxes. To add insult to injury the letter arrived yesterday with no mention of the wrong advice - just an invalid application. The people who advise me, judge me and write to me are all being paid. Meanwhile my document which has taken months to prepare is archived, whilst I have to resend another. Madness.

# 7 [17 June 2007]

Finished the partitions and created 19 spaces!!. Now we can reclaim weekends. I don't think it's sunk in. We have managed to achieve this on a shoestring. Jem is a surveyor with an eye for buildings and how spaces can be optimised. Not only have we created workspaces, but also an exhibition area with 60ft+ of linear wallspace. This will provide a great area for HMS artists to show  work. It was Jem's idea to reduce the size of 3 studios to create an exhibition area. He understands artists and their requirements because of my involvement in various studios groups. Now all we need are artists to fill the remaining spaces.

# 8 [20 June 2007]

I'm expecting THE letter from the Arts Council today giving me the go-ahead for permission to apply. Had a phone call to say it was on the way. It means reprinting the document to resend today. zzzzzzzz
Had a visit form John of Creative Launchpad which advises artists on business. It turns out that Long Eaton is a 'strange place:  a Derbyshire town with a Nottingham postcode and telephone number. He reported how the town is often ignored in relation to funding and assistance. Creative Launchpad for instance has offices in Nottingham and Derby but Long Eaton falls outside their remit. However he thought the project was worthy of a visit and will promote it. I know Derbyshire CC are focusing on other areas such as Cromford and Wirksworth.

Heard from Banks Mill  Studios in Derby. Filamena, the manager is interested in a visit. They are well established but a totally different set-up to HMS. They focus more on business and the spaces are more private and not open.  But I think we could both benefit from each other. It's great people are getting in touch - it means we are on the radar. I've made loads and loads of phonecalls to various bodies so it's good that people are coming to me.

# 9 [28 June 2007]

I've just sent out a newsletter to artists to keep them up-to-date with developments. We are all taking part in the NCAN Octoberfest in October. It's an ideal opportunity to launch the studios with a party and Open studios. Sheila has agreed to make a colour installation to mark the event which is fantastic. There are several options for music on the night and I'm meeting Kat about the curatorial space later today.

# 10 [30 June 2007]

Just handed the keys over to Sarah Hemstock. I've known Sarah for a few years now, and I find it really difficult to talk about money with friends. I don't think they find it nearly as awkward. I have contracts etc for all artists to sign so I try to keep it as professional as possible.
We've just drawn up some health and safety rules including dealing with rubbish, the use of electrical appliances and issues relating to fire. The building has a sprinkler system, fire alarms and fire exits. We are debating whether to opt for large fire extinguishers or for small ones in each space with an extra a fire blanket in the kitchen area. All boring stuff which was never a consideration when I rented a space at Oldknows!

A Derby Graduate rang to arrange a visit to the studios tomorrow. I'm having an open day for artists submitting applications for the residency, but only one has contacted me. Hope more show up tomorrow.