Swindon's original community art hub turns 10

It's been said that when Winston Churchill was asked to cut arts funding to help fund the war he responded: "Then what are we fighting for?" In 2018, with arts funding being cut across the country and in Swindon, it still seems relevant.

This year Swindon's original community art space and gallery celebrates its tenth birthday at Theatre Square, also known as Swindon's 'Cultural Quarter' - Artsite itself was founded in 1999.

As Artsite celebrates a decade of supporting local artists there is much to look back on. Over the last 18 years trustees Vicky Silver and Sally Taylor have continued to support young and working artists in Swindon, and provide them with a creative space where they can practice their art.

After the former Post Office, Theatre Square, flooded Swindon Borough Council (SBC) gave Artsite permission to take over the building - they opened The Post Modern in 2008. Renovations included filling holes in the wall, clearing six inches of water, unblocking drains and removing fungi. Then rebuilding walls to provide artists studios.

Sally said: "The Post office moved out because of the flooding, then the whole area started to decline."

10 years down the line and Vicky and Sally have provided Swindon with 13 studio spaces and space for a theatre, with plans to still move forward.

Vicky said: “We’re always looking towards the future to help create a thriving space for creativity.

“We need money to be put into Artsite which means we can pay part-time roles.

"We're trying to get funding to do up the smashed windows. People think we’re paid by SBC, and people think we get grants from SBC – it all comes from us.”

Sally added: “We have to look after the building. It’s not just about being an artist, it’s the dirty work as well – but ultimately Artsite’s about making a community.”

Once in talks with SBC about taking over the former Connections building, Artsite says that plans have halted.

Sally said: “The studio space is where you connect with people. With the Connections space we could create up to 30 more spaces, and we want to create a multi-purpose space, but we can’t do that without funding.”

Vicky added: “We’re not a business, we’re a charity that supports people getting out there. It’s about retaining young people in Swindon - encouraging young people to stay in the community.”

As Swindon's town centre faces more closures, Artsite are determined to continue projects to regenerate its cultural quarter and support working artists in the community.