Slack Space: Empty Shops as Exhibition Space
Posted in Design, Museum Expansionism, Presentism on 19. Feb, 2009
Empty shop: Cambridge UK by Prisoner 5413. Used under Creative Commons
72,000 retail outlets are predicted to close in the UK during 2009, but there are artists and curators who have taken the initiative of putting up artwork in these otherwise unused commercial properties, know as ”Slack Spaces”. The article mentions a group of artists who were “allowed” to put art into some shops in Margate. One of them is Emily Firmin (THAT Emily) who says the purpose of Slack Spaces is to not only to promote artists but to help the local economy.
“Rather than letting lots of pound shops appear, we are encouraging people to start up businesses. We know recessions are awful but can be a good time for artists as creative ideas start appearing while otherwise redundant people are sitting at home fiddling and doing creative stuff.”
Another empty shop in Sidcup High Street by davepatten. Used under Creative Commons
What better way to encourage economic stimulus than making sure commercial properties don’t fall into ruin and improving the image of the surrounding area?
I wonder what a slack space could be for the wider museum industry? One thought is part of a project’s community outreach, especially if a museum is outside the city centre. Or it could be temporary exhibition space for more of the collection to be on display, hopefully allowing some of the more crackpot objects museums tend to have in their storerooms. Hell, maybe even temporary storerooms where groups of volunteers can gather in a space to get stuck into a collection management project.
The way to really make this work would be a scheme set up by the local government to force work with property developers to make this happen. Very short-term minimal-or-no cost leases for creative and cultural purposes.
You might be interested in this similar Australian project called Renew Newcastle. This is being run by a non-profit group that has assembled just for this purpose. They are working with building owners to open up an otherwise boarded up city centre.http://www.renewnewcastle.org/
I started a similar organisation up north in Durham City called EmptyShop.org, using an empty shop as art space – it has been really well received by artists and locals, and keeps another property interesting rather than sitting there looking unused.
There is an up and coming design curator in Denver that’s been doing this for about a year, in an empty storefront downtown. Jaime Kopke- she’s doing it herself. Check out the Denver Community Museum. It’s wonderful, and she’s taken the whole participatory design thing to a new level. We’re planning to do a cross-continental challenge this summer (SF v. Denver).
There seems to be a lot on interest in forming a national creative space network but no organisation, so I’m getting the ball rolling. Some thoughts here: http://thebeekeepers.com/2009/04/01/as-if-by-magic/
I live in Glasgow’s southside and have my eye on a vacant high street shop. I am totally new to this venture and was wondering if anyone had any tips as to how to go about obtaining the shop for a collection of local artists (including myself)to exhibit work and bring some life into the high st, whilst keepimg costs to a minimum! Are letting agents approchable? Do some charge? Would it be worth attending a local council meeting to put ideas forward? CHEERS.
I would contact the people who have done it already. I imagine letting agents are unlikely to co-operate and will want to see money. Private landlord’s may have an unknown reaction, so it cold work with some negotiating skills.
Definitely go to the council. It may also help to approach any local arts administration organisations who would have contacts to help.
I have heard of people squatting to do this, but I am not recommending litigious actions.
thanks Pete…has anyone out there done this before? How do I best approach letting agency? Is there a nack?
Slough Museum is situated in a former Fads (a very 1980′s type of interior decorating shop) on a high street. It often uses its big display windows for community art projects.
I run a national network of groups using empty shops, and have been talking to some museums about using spaces. We should, hopefully, have some resources to help people starting projects soon – so please get in touch.
All these comments are most encouraging.
We are ten people as artists, musicians, social mixers, who by
taking over empty premises would create a community atmospher such as
Free Rent on Shops (could be for short periods)
Demonstrate how to paint and display paintings, pen and ink
Introduce Chess, backgammon, to passersby
Play music instruments, cello, piano
Sing, similar to the wonderful singers in Covent Garden
Introduce people to IT. Perhaps a new approach on a screen
and whatever comes to mind which has the potential of stimulating
social activity, interchange of ideas conversation as well as broaden ones horizon.
Like this way of communicating by Email. Best regards
Edwin Mendoza edwinmendoza_painting@yahoo.co.uk