THE newly formed Southampton Chamber of Arts continues to go from strength to strength after securing work spaces for the city’s artists.
A large, open-plan, floor space area in the Dukes Keep building has been made available for studio use for its members.
Set up to foster art in the community the chamber is to offer the space free of charge to artists who don’t have a studio or space in which to work.
A number of artists have already expressed an interest in setting up studios in the building.
The chamber’s community liaison officer Leo Deville brokered the deal with Hannah Brown, who is the charity co-ordinator for Centric Community Projects, who offer space in empty commercial buildings in the UK to charities, non profit organisations and community groups.
Leo said: ”It is a big milestone for us in the chamber and we are very grateful to Centric. We hope to have the first chamber artists in the building within weeks. Dukes Keep is in a prime location and we have also secured a lock up facility in the building which we can utilise as a store room.”
Artists wishing to apply for studio space should check out the chamber’s Facebook site.
Chamber spokesman Denis Reading said a lot of work has been going on in the last few months.
The chamber has been officially registered with Companies House, a community bank account was being opened and in a few weeks time the chamber’s new and exciting website will be launched.
He said: “Our stated objectives, as a non-profit and primarily self-financing organization are to promote all mediums of art culture and creativity throughout the area for the benefit of our members and the community at large.
“All creatives, no matter what level of skill, are very welcome to join and take advantage of what a growing, friendly, collaborative group can achieve.
“Our new glossy brochure (featuring members’ art work) will be used in our quest to reach out to local commerce, industry and educational institutions to become partners with us in achieving our goals”, he added.
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