Project

Type of Meanwhile Space: Cultural Engagement and Town Centre Identity

Contact: Tracey Johnson, traceyjohnart@hotmail.co.uk

The project

Description of the project

Slack Space is an artist run initiative that puts art, music and performance into an empty shop unit in Colchester Town Centre. The group evolved through the networking site facebook and are supported by East of England Co-op and the local arts charity firstsite.
At Slack Space there is a a programme of art and events with the art changing every week or so and a 3 day mini-fest takes place once a month. What started as a repository for art has become became a catalyst for art with calls going out for various commissions and themes being responded to.
Exhibiting artists are asked to ‘give time’ to the project as payment. They often do this by helping with events, giving informal talks about their work or running their own workshops. Slack Space is a very community based project.   
Partnerships have quickly evolved with other arts organisations and enquiries come from other Towns who want to have their own Slack Space. The initiative is still going strong and the group have two further shop window fronts displaying art and are currently negotiating another large space where they can run even more events from.

Explanation of why it was created

As a response to the recession a growing number of empty shops have appeared in Town Centres nationally. A page on the social networking site Facebook called attention to this progression in Colchester. Interest grew on the site and a group of artists, performers and film-makers evolved with enough skill, drive and enthusiasm to take action.
Slack Space Colchester is a volunteer run initiative that was set up to create arts usage of empty shops and locations in order to promote local artists, present new and exciting work to the public and generate a cultural buzz in the Town Centre. It was created to interrupt the footfall of consumers in retail centres with art and performance: To fill the slack spaces in our town with colour, art and laughter and to help keep our social, cultural and economic life warm in the chill of recession.

A list of partners (individuals or organisations) that make it happen

East of England Co-operative
Firstsite
Abigail Cheverst
Ade Frost
David Ross
Dorian Kelly
Jack Briggs-Miller
John Livingstone
John Worland
Malachi Siner-Cheverst
Marc De’ath
Niki Reid
Paul Murphy
Paula Vans
Shaun Dipper
Sioux Jordan
Tallulah Harper
Tracey Johnson
Vicki Weitz
Vron Francis
Will Wright

Was there a point where the project looked threatened, how was this overcome?

The project was only meant to run as a pilot for three months with time afterwards for evaluation. The initial creator/project manager had put so much time and effort into this period, including working with other artists to create a large installation of his own design, that he felt unable to continue. No one had been prepared for this and with his lack of leadership the project very nearly collapsed. Fortunately there was a member who had lots of experience with managing various projects so she stepped in and saved the day. The project runs very efficiently now thanks to Abby.

What is the best story to come out of it (so far?)

There are so many!
One of the most common stories is the one that Espe followed. She had been making paintings at home and trying very hard to get galleries to consider exhibiting them. She had had no success. When she emailed in to Slack Space she was asked to bring her work in and chosen for a group exhibition. During the exhibition her work was really popular with visitors to Slack Space and many enquiries for sales were made. A local gallery owner liked her work and offered her an exhibition. She now exhibits regularly throughout the region.

How have you measured the impact of the project?

We recently celebrated our 10,000th visitor. The occasion was marked with a visit from local councillor Bob Ross who presented the visitors with an original artwork and a bottle of champagne.
Slack Space attracts many local visitors but also has visitors from further afield. Recently a South Korean television crew filmed at Slack Space for a programme in Korea.

A budget/costs explanation

Utilities    300        
Rates        300    
Rent        300
Overheads    100
Total        £1,000 per month

Income details

The local arts charity firstsite support us financially while we move towards a more independent survival strategy.
They pay our utility bills, print our stationary and pay for other small costs. We collect donations in a very artistic, animated donations box and occassionally individual artists and artist groups make a small donation.

Slack Space

33 Long Wyre Street

Colchester

CO1 1LJ