NAN

In March 2008, Claremont Studios was granted a NAN Go and See bursary to travel to visit a number of like minded artist-led initiatives in the UK for research and development. Artists’ Networks Coordinator Emilia Telese talks to the group about the bursary and its impact:

ET: Tell us more about Claremont Studios.

CS: Claremont Studios is based at 12 Claremont Arts Space in Hastings town centre. It is an independent arts and studio organisation supporting artists, illustrators and film-makers in commercial, non-commercial and experimental arts projects,  and creating a space for critical debate and opportunities for collaboration. The group was formed in 2004 to create a supportive network of established and developing artists. It aims to give artists the confidence to experiment within their practice and freedom to grow creatively whilst also developing their professional and project management skills. Claremont Studios hosts a monthly peer critique and networking group called, Talk About The Work, as well as a series of artists talks and presentations by studio members, local and visiting artists. At present membership is through studio occupation.

ET: What did you want to achieve through your NAN bursary?

CS: We wanted to gain knowledge of other artist-led studio and gallery organisations, to look at other models of how to run a studio-organisation or a gallery/experimental space. We also wanted to find out what sort of rent and lease arrangement other studio organisations have, and make contacts with other studio organisations with a view to networking and collaborating on artistic projects. We visited Transition Gallery in London, Blue Monkey Studios in Eastbourne, Crate Studios in Margate and the exhibitions team at the newly-housed Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne. 

ET: What did you find out during your trip?

CS:  Our visit to the  artist-led Transition Gallery in Hackney was highly informative as Cathy Lomax explained how she was able to organise a series of high-profile exhibitions, and events with little or no funding. In December 2008 we were invited to a special artists tour of the new Towner building in Eastbourne, which opens in April 2009. We were introduced to the curator Sanna Moore, and  were invited to send in a proposal for an art project to be shown in Towner in Spring 2009. In January 2009 Sharon Haward organised a reciprocal visit for Towner exhibitions curator, Sanna Moore to visit Claremont Studios.

ET: What do you think will be the effect of your NAN bursary for your group in the long term?

CS: It has improved our network and relationships with like-minded artists in similar organisations. The visits given us a good insight into how other studio organisations function in terms of rent, leases, voluntary work and more. The bursary has helped us forge a valuable link with a local public art gallery, the Towner. We have really enjoyed the visits. The NAN Go-and-See bursary gave us a good excuse to leave our studios, and spend some valuable time together as a group, as well as the long-term effects of forging new working relationships and networks.

First published: a-n.co.uk June 2010