Assembly Margate was the first of the a-n Assembly events to take place during May and June, 2017. Hosted across a number of arts spaces in the town, a-n devised a programme of events with Margate-based social artist Dan Thompson.

In Margate, as in much of the South East, the influx of new artists, priced out of London, brought opportunities but also created tensions. Art was a contentious subject in a town with some of the most deprived areas in England. With a small population and a huge variety of studio spaces, galleries and artist-led projects, there were further tensions between the diverse groups of artists as they found new spaces, new ways of working, and new ways to fund their work in the town.

The Assembly events in part responded to this context, with formal talks and workshops complemented by artist-led tours, a social night out and opportunities for networking and discussions with fellow artists and the a-n team.

Thursday 4 May

The curation process (or – how do I get them to exhibit my work?)
10.00am – 12.00noon
Foyle Room 1, Turner Contemporary. Rendezvous, Margate. CT9 1HG

Demystifying crowdfunding and getting to know your audience better
1.00pm – 5.00pm
Fire Eye Land, The Avenue, Margate. CT9 2ST

The power in people
1.30pm – 3.00pm
STAN Art Pod, 46a Athelstan Road, Margate. CT9 2BB

Assembly social
7.00pm – 9.00pm
Cliffs, 172 Northdown Road, Margate. CT9 2QN

Friday 5 May

Artist-led tour: A Walking Assembly with Julia Riddiough
10.00am – 12.45pm
Tour starts at Marine Studios, 17 Albert Terrace, Margate. CT9 1UJ
Tour finishes at Cliffs, 172 Northdown Road, Margate. CT9 2QN

Help!
12.30pm – 2.30pm.
Cliffs, 172 Northdown Road, Margate. CT9 2QN

Spaces and places
3.00pm – 5.00pm
Resort Studios, 50 Athelstan Road, Margate. CT9 2BH

First Friday – What we have in common
6.30pm-8.30pm
Marine Studios, Marine Studios, 17 Albert Terrace, Margate. CT9 1UJ