On Friday we signed the licence agreement with the University of Lincoln for an office space within the fine art department building. This feels like somewhat of a milestone in the organisations development. A space in the city in which the Lincoln Art Programme can function, has been an objective since we started in early 2009, we now have a postal address, internet, and a phone line, all things that bigger organisations may take for granted, previously we have had to work from home, but now we have this space in which the organisation can live and breathe from. No more meeting artists in local cafes…
Since acquiring this space, we have being discussing how best to utilise this new space, as well as an office, we want it to act as a hub for artist led activity in Lincoln, a space where people can visit, and meet, we want the space to help facilitate the growing artist led infrastructure in the city. We have it initially for 6 months, with a review for a further 6 months in December; it’s up to us to show them that having the Lincoln Art Programme on their doorstep is a good thing…
We have started advertising and promoting our latest event which is a new work by Norwegian artist Agnes Nedregard on July 3rd, she is going to undertake a two day pilgrimage to Lincoln Cathedral, in which people can join her either for the final section of the pilgrimage, or if they are feeling slightly more adventurous can join her for a longer walk. Were putting particular effort to utilise online marketing tools, and in effect trying to reduce the amount of ‘marketing stuff’ we produce. I’ve spoken to a few other organisations who are attempting to follow a similar approach. But then again you can’t beat a nice flyer can you? People like that physical object in which to hold, look at and keep…
Here’s more info on Agnes project, on the Visit Lincolnshire website
http://www.visitlincolnshire.com/site/events/agnes-nedregard-pilgrimage-of-the-fool-p253431
Alan
In light of a project that will take place over the August bank holiday weekend I Spent the other day trying to convince members of the Lincoln authorities that playing table tennis poses no risk to the public, can you imagine the headlines? Death by ping pong ball’ seriously though, it’s difficult to try and explain and dispel safety fears when in the back of your mind, the risk seems non-existent. But I guess it highlights the bureaucratic and health and safety policy approach of doing about things these days.
We found out the other day that our Arts Council application has been successful, which accompanied with funding from Lincolnshire County Council, means we are now able to do the projects that we have spent the previous months planning and arranging. Having a positive funding letter arrive on your doorstep is both exhilarating, and relieving, the idea of contacting artists who you have developed a project with and telling them that we haven’t got the money would be hard, especially as many artists rely heavily on commission fees in which to make a living, so I’m glad I don’t have to write those emails (not in 2010 anyway!)
We are on the verge of being given an office space in Lincoln city centre, due to Lincoln University giving us a space that used to be student art shop before it closed a few years ago. The space should provide us with a space in which to work from, as well as being one of Lincolns first artist led spaces, which can only benefit the students who are studying their BA’s fine art courses next door. A word should go out to an old Uni tutor John Plowman, who has guided us through various potential mine field meetings with ‘estates’ and health and safety officers. The lease is due to be signed within 10 days. Fingers crossed.
We are getting there…
Alan
Blog posts seem a bit sporadic here, so there is lots to talk about.
Lincoln Art Programme went to Bristol earlier in the month to visit some people in the city. We received a NAN bursary which was originally destined for another location, we never the less made it to Bristol and visited Search Party and Residence. The trip was invaluable, we wanted to meet with Search Party as we will be working with them this year (subject to funding). We plan to bring one of their touring works to the city so that Search Party can take on the city in a marathon game of ping pong!!! Everything is more or less in place we just need the green light.
We received a letter from Lincoln County Council accepting our funding application, which is fantastic news. It is as usual conditional on the ACE funding we applied for, so lets hope that’s a yes, we should hear in the next week or so. Its quite a tricky situation, we have cleared one mountain but if the ACE mountain is a ‘no’ then its back to the drawing board.
Alan is working hard to secure an office for us in the city, its going well but there are many rues and regs before anything happens. We do need a base in the city though, this will enable us to be truly Lincoln based and can allow for us to expand in new directions. After all it is much better to have meetings in our office than in the various cafes around the city. Hopefully we can also get more people involved to help out, interns perhaps.
(We also saw Nick Clegg in Bristol, he could be PM in 48 hours!)
Amelia
