22nd July 2016
PRESS RELEASE
Islington Mill awarded major Arts Council England grant
We are very excited to announce that Arts Council England has confirmed a funding total of £928,000 from their large scale capital programme to Islington Mill Arts Club, towards the £2.5 million needed for the renovation and refurbishment plan that will help us to secure a thriving independent future for Islington Mill. Islington Mill described in the Guardian, Tuesday 5th July 2016: “It’s the mothership of Salford’s burgeoning grassroots arts ecology.” As well as installing an urgently-needed roof, the planned renovations will utterly transform the currently th derelict 5 floor and attic space to create eight brand new Artist and Maker Residence Spaces that will be the first of their kind in the North West, offering year-round accommodation and workspace for artists from around the world, new large-scale work and exhibition spaces, as well as new external elevators and building entrances, making the renovated building fully accessible to all. For two decades, Islington Mill has operated as an independent collective of artists and creative businesses housed in a reclaimed industrial building. The Mill supports its local community with initiatives such as rent-free workspaces for creative start-ups and talent development, Around 1700 artists and makers from around the world have passed through the doors of Islington Mill and launched successful careers. Recognised as one of the UK’s leading independent venues with 50 studio spaces housing over 100 multi-disciplinary creators, as well as event and gallery spaces, collectively attracting 15,000 annual visitors. The impact on the region of these spaces will be widespread, helping to further locate the North West as a key focus for international creativity, offering a solution to a crisis in available artist studio space, and most importantly, securing a bright, sustainable and independent future of possibilities for Islington Mill.
To further boost our project, Salford City Council have pledged an additional £400,000 of funding, and together with other benefactors our current funding total comes to £1,765,000. We now need your help raise £735,000 to unlock these funds. The first stage of our own fundraising campaign to raise the final £735,000 will be Maurice Carlin’s ‘Temporary Custodians’ project, a sale of an artwork installation consisting of 135 unique limited edition th prints taken directly from the derelict 5 floor surface of Islington Mill. All funds from sales of these pieces will go towards our fundraising total. By purchasing a print, buyers directly contribute to the future of the Mill, both by donating money and by becoming a ‘Temporary Custodian’ via the artwork, a special ongoing relationship which enables future dialogue and input into the future of the Mill. Bill Campbell, Founder and Co-Director of Islington Mill said: “The vision for Islington Mill was built on an ethos of experimentation, creativity and inclusivity that has evolved and clarified over the last 15 years. More than just a physical venue, ours is an attitude and approach that unites not only the local community, but International artists. We are now in a strong position to install our urgently needed roof and create additional residence spaces, developing a hive of creativity.” Ian Tabbron, Senior Relationship Manager, Arts Council England said: “The Arts Council is pleased to be investing in Islington Mill through a capital grant to Islington Mill Arts Club. Islington Mill is an innovator in many important areas of contemporary culture and is also instrumental in helping us understand the development needs of communities who currently face many barriers to participation in the arts. We look forward to working with key stakeholders, particularly Salford City Council, to help the organisation realise the potential of their building and its many exciting programmes of work.” Dave Haslam, DJ, Cultural Icon and Author said: “I was asked by the New York Times to discuss Manchester’s music but instead of harking back to the past, I told them how much contemporary activity there was in the region that had similarly informal and non-institutional roots. In the course of my interview I described Islington Mill as ‘one of the spiritual homes of the post-Hacienda generation...” Tim Burgess, Singer, Author, DJ, Roadie said: “I love Islington Mill – it has such a creative atmosphere. I’ve watched brilliant gigs there, been a roadie for bands there and I played bass in Seahawks for one night only at the Mill. It’s definitely my kind of place” Press contacts: Greg Thorpe: 07708 225377 Lucy Lloyd-Ruck: 07789 173796
Notes to editors: About Islington Mill: The Mill was built on an ethos of experimentation, creativity and inclusivity that has evolved and clarified over time. Created in 2000, Islington Mill remains a work in progress; an ever-evolving creative space, arts hub and community. Scratch the surface and you’ll find a vibrant and resourceful cross disciplinary creative network, a space where conversations leads to connections, collaboration and co-creation. www.islingtonmill.com About Arts Council: Arts Council England champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2015 and 2018, we plan to invest £1.1 billion of public money from government and an estimated £700 million from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. www.artscouncil.org.uk About Salford City Council: The city of Salford in Greater Manchester covers 37 square miles and is the home to some 220,000 people, 200 miles North West of London. Salford is one of Britain’s ‘key growth’ areas recording the fastest growing population and economy outside of London. It is home to 8,700 businesses who employ more than 140,000 people. This is on top of the 17,800 homes which have been granted planning permission in the past five years. The city is booming and experiencing China-levels of growth. www.salford.gov.uk