Ideas Hub Chelmsford - Pillar of Chelmsford Community

What I find most fulfilling about the Ideas Hub is the way it is embedded within the community. It’s like mycelium, which mushrooms grow from. All you can see is the mushroom itself, while hidden from the eye the tiny threads of mycelium run through the forest connecting much of the eco-system together symbiotically. Just like the Ideas Hub, working hard to foster mutually beneficial relationships between the people of Chelmsford and local organisations, whilst the work of the Ideas Hub is itself supported by so many local organisations and residents. The Ideas Hub’s motto of ‘By the community for the community’ is most appropriate.

The Art Place, a creative community space at the heart of Chelmsford, opened in the Meadows Shopping Centre in October 2020, and it keeps on growing (liked a new mushroom). The shop area allows local artists and traders to sell their creative work and gives them, and us, an income. Giving artists a platform to express themselves and be part of the local community is rewarding, and we’ve witnessed the fulfillment this brings.

The workshop area allows us to run creative workshops, including Sunday Explore and Discover workshops for children, which help them explore their creativity and discover their talents. Keep an eye out for the new school holiday workshops (lots for teens), and opportunities to take part in great local events, including the Chelmsford Festival (3rd June to 9th July) and Chelmsford Carnival (2nd July).

The café area hosts a variety of social events in a safe and welcoming space to connect, learn, and grow, including monthly LGBTQ+ socials, and trans socials in partnership with Not A Phase, a trans-led grassroots charity dedicated to awareness, campaigning, and funding new initiatives.

This work couldn’t happen without our amazing volunteers, donations, and sponsorships and all those providing us with support, for which we are extremely grateful.

You can help by ‘liking’ The Art Place pages on social media and sharing our posts to help spread the word. Traditional word of mouth is still a great advertising medium, so please tell your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours about The Art Place. Every little thread of mycelium is vital to the survival of the community.

If you’re interested in a space for selling your crafts, please contact us at theartplace@ideashubchelmsford.org.

If you’re interested in gallery or exhibition space, please contact us at artplacegallery@ideashubchelmsford.org,

For more information regarding workshops and/or running your own workshops, please email Sofia at sofia@ideashubchelmsford.org.

Or to volunteer, please email: volunteer@ideashubchelmsford.org, and for donations or to discuss sponsorships, email edithmiller@ ideashubchelmsford.org.

If you are interested in taking part in Chelmsford Festival and/ or the carnival, including wanting to run your own event, build a float/inspiration for a float, please contact: tony@chelmsfordfestival. co.uk.

The whole ‘mushroom’ provides a safe, inclusive and nurturing space with mush room for everyone!

Edith Miller, CEO & Indigo Moon, Communications Manager

www.ideashubchelmsford.org