ARTISTS TALKING

# 13 [8 July 2007]

I was an artist today -  in the space which we fashioned at the beginning of April. And I love it. It is slightly bigger than the standard space. It also has the door which leads to a room that housed the belt race which drove the lace machines. It is two storeys high with the potential for a great installation. But not today.

# 12 [7 July 2007]

A very positive day, yesterday. It's funny how letters and phonecalls come out of the blue. I haven't been able to focus on my arts practice as much as I'd like because HMS has taken most of my time and drained all my creativity. However,  the Anglian Ruskin wrote to let me know I had 'been selected for an invitation to join their prestigious collection' along with Ronald Searle and Bruce Russell. I feel connected with my own practice for one day. Perhaps on Monday I can make some work in my new space.

Had an informal meeting on Thursday with artists at HMS to discuss the OctoberFest and painting the communal areas. Arranged for a painting party next Thursday (with cakes) to paint the exhibiton area. All the artists are keen to take part in the NCan Octoberfest.
The PV and launch party ('Toast & Jam') will be October 26th followed by the Open Studios on 27th-28th. Amanda and Louise's partners are both musicians and they have volunteered them for a jamming session. The company we have formed to run the studios are providing 10 wine boxes We are working out how to finance the more refreshments and the marketing. Sponsorship, activities and a kitty were all discussed.
Louise and I are jointly going to look at Arts Council funding. Not sure how that will go down as we already have an application on the go.
Sheila's Colour Installation will be unveiled at the PV. Her work is ideal for this occassion as her work embraces a space. It will be shown until the New Year when artists at HMS will be able to put forward proposals for exhibitions. This can be either collaborations with other artists from HMS, or with others outside the studio. There is over 20 linear meters of wall space so this is a really good opportunity for the artists to exhibit.
Kat is also making progress with the curatorial space. She's given it a name - The Standing Room. This relates to the standings which lace manufacturers rented in lace mills. The studios are partitioned next to the posts which divided the standings.
Standing Room

# 11 [2 July 2007]

"Must be exciting", "You're brave", "Bonkers"  and "Great project!" Just a few comments. Mostly, it's tedious though. Take today for instance. I was at the studios for 8 this morning for BT who were booked to install a phoneline (for incoming calls and broadband). Instinct told me mid-morning it wasn't going to happen. A phonecall to BT confirmed my fears - the job had only just been logged and they weren't due til next Monday. The sales department hadn't let the engineers know. Welcome to my "exciting" life. lol

# 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.

# 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.

# 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.

# 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.

# 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.

# 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

# 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".