I would argue that a healthy range of different arts facilities are vital for a thriving city; as evidenced in Gateshead (Baltic and Sage), MIMA in Middlesborough, Walsall Contemporary Art Gallery and the multi million pound development currently underway in Birmingham of a ‘Cultural Quarter’; not to mention Tate Modern. All these institutions become focal points allowing smaller artist led initiatives to develop and enrich the city.
There is a range of such small arts projects in the region. Carlisle has more of a piecemeal arts provision with a number of small projects, some remaining (c-arts, West Wall, Free Range Artists) others coming and going (Bank Gallery, Mill Gallery). More recent developments are the Crown Gallery and the Galley Gallery.
I am currently developing a new network – phire (Photography in Research & Education) promoting photography practice and critical thought. After organising the conference Visualising the Rural, bringing together artists and academics to rethink the meaning and depiction of rurality, I became acutely aware of the invisibility of artists’ networks and related events. The infrastructure for information distribution about arts events is very poor and phire will hopefully help to address this need in view of photography events. The second Carlisle Photography Festival (beginning to draw in national and international artists) has been more visible within the city and the council has taken notice and expressed the intent to support such events developing Carlisle into a city of festivals.
Hopefully, there is more of a will to consider the arts not as a drain on resources, but as a vital element in the life of Carlisle. The long-term institutional remit of the Bluecoat “to nurture both creative individuals and audiences … [and] for local groups of artists to share their work” is precisely what is needed in Carlisle along with a nationally (if not internationally) important venue. Whether the city rises to the challenge and the optimistic ventures of the Crown Gallery, phire and the Carlisle Photography Festival will survive long enough to shape the city remains to be seen.
Dr Katrin Joost is a Lecturer at The University of Cumbria teaching undergraduate and foundation degree modules across the arts faculty.
