Wavemakers: West Cork Arts Hub
Donation protected
The Wavemakers are a group working towards establishing an arts 'hub' in Skibbereen, in order to give a base to the art and craft community in West Cork. We are looking to enable arts practice for the community by providing affordable access to:
- Workspace – both permanent studio spaces and communal workspace, with access provided on a membership basis that caters to regular and occasional users.
- Specialist arts equipment and facilities – to include large scale equipment such as ceramics kilns and printmaking equipment. This equipment can be difficult for individuals to purchase, store and run themselves, and may be too specialist for schools, colleges etc. to provide for their students. The aim of the hub would be to make practice that requires this level of equipment accessible for the whole community.
- Access to an inclusive community of like-minded people – helping people to overcome social isolation in rural West Cork and providing a platform that will encourage artistic development by allowing for: skill sharing, mentoring, networking, peer encouragement, collaboration etc. Additionally, a platform to facilitate resource pooling within the creative community.
- An accessible, low commission selling platform for work produced – this will likely consist of a small permanent ‘gift shop’ space and a flexible gallery space for exhibitions throughout the year. In addition, allowing members of the public into open studios in a ‘meet the makers’ type setting will strengthen West Cork’s reputation as a cultural hub.
- Workshop spaces - both for attending workshops and for facilitating. The hub would aim to make running workshops more accessible for artists by minimising overheads that, for individuals, can negate the financial incentive to run such workshops.
- Practical supports to enable professional practice in the arts - information and education surrounding securing arts funding, residencies and the like for members.
We have identified a premises in Skibbereen, in an area that is very central to the town and in need of regeneration. Funding has recently been granted by SECAD (LEADER funding) to conduct a feasibility study for the project. This funding is given at a rate of 90:10, meaning that LEADER will provide 90% of the funds required and the remaining 10% match funding must be raised. 100% of the funds raised at this stage will go directly to the Wavemakers, a non-profit entity, and will be used to complete the feasibility study and to put the necessary structures in place in order for the project to reach the next phase (fees for incorporating as a CLG etc.).
Unfortunately we have had to put a pin in planning in-person fundraising events for the time being, so any amount you can give will be hugely appreciated, and if you aren't able to donate then we would still love to hear from you! If you are a creative in West Cork we would be grateful if you would complete our survey 'What are your needs as a creative in West Cork?' at the following link:
https://forms.gle/xSwoxN6j2LC7K8Ne9
Our aim is to provide a space that reflects the needs of the community, so any input, thoughts, comments and ideas are very welcome. To get in touch email us at [email redacted].
A huge thanks, stay safe and well everyone!
- Workspace – both permanent studio spaces and communal workspace, with access provided on a membership basis that caters to regular and occasional users.
- Specialist arts equipment and facilities – to include large scale equipment such as ceramics kilns and printmaking equipment. This equipment can be difficult for individuals to purchase, store and run themselves, and may be too specialist for schools, colleges etc. to provide for their students. The aim of the hub would be to make practice that requires this level of equipment accessible for the whole community.
- Access to an inclusive community of like-minded people – helping people to overcome social isolation in rural West Cork and providing a platform that will encourage artistic development by allowing for: skill sharing, mentoring, networking, peer encouragement, collaboration etc. Additionally, a platform to facilitate resource pooling within the creative community.
- An accessible, low commission selling platform for work produced – this will likely consist of a small permanent ‘gift shop’ space and a flexible gallery space for exhibitions throughout the year. In addition, allowing members of the public into open studios in a ‘meet the makers’ type setting will strengthen West Cork’s reputation as a cultural hub.
- Workshop spaces - both for attending workshops and for facilitating. The hub would aim to make running workshops more accessible for artists by minimising overheads that, for individuals, can negate the financial incentive to run such workshops.
- Practical supports to enable professional practice in the arts - information and education surrounding securing arts funding, residencies and the like for members.
We have identified a premises in Skibbereen, in an area that is very central to the town and in need of regeneration. Funding has recently been granted by SECAD (LEADER funding) to conduct a feasibility study for the project. This funding is given at a rate of 90:10, meaning that LEADER will provide 90% of the funds required and the remaining 10% match funding must be raised. 100% of the funds raised at this stage will go directly to the Wavemakers, a non-profit entity, and will be used to complete the feasibility study and to put the necessary structures in place in order for the project to reach the next phase (fees for incorporating as a CLG etc.).
Unfortunately we have had to put a pin in planning in-person fundraising events for the time being, so any amount you can give will be hugely appreciated, and if you aren't able to donate then we would still love to hear from you! If you are a creative in West Cork we would be grateful if you would complete our survey 'What are your needs as a creative in West Cork?' at the following link:
https://forms.gle/xSwoxN6j2LC7K8Ne9
Our aim is to provide a space that reflects the needs of the community, so any input, thoughts, comments and ideas are very welcome. To get in touch email us at [email redacted].
A huge thanks, stay safe and well everyone!
Organizer
Alice Clifford
Organizer
County Cork, Cork