nities since 1997.

GCS OPEN STUDIOS

 

Green Close Studios are delighted to announce that they have received substantial financial support from Arts Council England North West to develop the organisation; this is partnered by contributions from Lancashire County Council and Lancaster City Council and as a part of its community engagement programme contributions from the District Councils of Craven, Pendle, and Ribble Valley.

 

The combined award will assist the studios put in place new management and membership structures for growth, developing a substantial CPD programme for artists, educational programmes for schools and a range of new community engagement programmes. The funding will employ the organisations first paid administrator and ensure the success of an important arts development project across the Forest of Bowland AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) Bowland Festival Arts (www.bowlandarts.co.uk)

“We have been working hard as a team of artists developing the organisation for the last ten years. This funding is a recognition of the value of our work and the commitment which GCS has made to artists and communities in the rural North West.”

Following an intensive 3 year review period working with consultants from ACAVA – the Association for the Cultural Advancement of Visual Arts, based in West London, Green Close Studios is now in a strong position of growth, and can begin to put some of its’ clearly defined aims and objectives into practice. The studios will be offering training and employment for artists across the region and developing innovative ways of engaging with communities, forging new partnerships to bring a culturally diverse artistic programme to the rural communities of North Lancashire and Southern Cumbria.

 

Director Sue Flowers has been highly involved in the successful establishment of the National Federation of Artists Studio Providers (NFASP) – a new nationally representative body working to professionalise and strengthen the studio sector. She feels that achieving financial support and recognition of the studios’ work at a time when arts funding has been seriously reviewed nationally, is a real achievement.

“I am delighted to be able to drive the organisation forward and will endeavour to develop a sustainable future for GCS and the growing number of artists we work with. The success of our first international project Viva Mexico* which we ran in partnership with Lancashire Museums during 2007-2008 is a great example of what a small independent arts organisation can bring to the cultural capital of the UK.”

See www.vivartsmexico.co.uk for further information