STUDENTSZINE

OPEN GOREY POPUP GALLERY & STUDIOS

A PROPOSAL FOR THE USE OF VACANT PROPERTY IN GOREY TOWN

OPEN GOREY PROPOSAL

OPEN GOREY is an initiative set up by studentsZINE Ireland's Leading Publication for the Contemporary Arts in the attempt to bridge the gap between the the local business community, property owners and local artists in the town of Gorey. OPEN GOREY would like to work with the local business community, town councillors and local artists to establish a programme that would allow for artists to open up and utilise vacant shopfronts by turning them into temporary galleries or artist studios for free whilst also informing property owners of the benefits of occupying artists. Propery owners would provide artists with shortterm leases with a 'ten day kick out provision' the space would still remain on the market with all rental signs up while it is functioning as a gallery or studio. OPEN GOREY is aware of both the increasing numbers of vacant properties emerging within the town of Gorey and also the large and growing number of artists seeking space to work in and showcase their work. We see this as an opportunity to put Gorey at the heart of contemporary art and world culture, encourage a diverse and open public realm and increase the publicity and rental potential of unoccupied retail units within the town.

GETTING THINGS UP & RUNNING

To get things up and running studentsZINE proposes to run a 46 week temporary gallery space(s) within Gorey Town to present our first International Exhibition of Sound Art featuring the work of accomplished international Sound Artists Yann Novak (Canada), Lars Lundehave Hansen (Denmark), Richard Carr (Ireland), Wolfgang Peter Menzel (Germany) and Salome Voegelin (Swiss/UK). Specifics of Exhibition will depend on availability of space, equipment etc. The International Exhibition of Sound Art, curated by studentsZINE would be a demanding exhibition of Sound Art bringing the work of world class practitioners to the the town of Gorey. To achieve this we would like to work with local property owners to secure a short term lease where we would agree to open the unit 6 days a week. Host the 4 week International Exhibition of Sound Art, Agree to vacate the unit if a permanent tenant is found and return the unit to original condition. We also agree that the space remains on the market, and open to viewings, with rental signs displayed. The benefits for the property owner include free publicity for the property, ongoing upkeep and maintanence, increased footfall to surrounding units and increased cultural interest in surrounding areas.

CASE STUDIES
Creative Limerick, Limerick City. Creative Limerick is an innovative initiative set up to promote the work of young artists while reanimating Limerick City. Creative Limerick enables artists to use vacant prime shopfront space to sell/endorse their work. The creative industries included in this initiative include advertising, architecture, art and antiques markets, computer and video games, crafts, design, fashion, film and video, music, performing arts, publishing, software, television and radio. The practitioners are responsible for fitting out the window space, lighting and keeping the display updated. Their work is insured and there is no fee to the practitioners. The initiative initially was to last for a trial period of 3 months but has been ongoing since November.

Creative Limerick Connect To The Grid, is the first of many practical initiatives coordinated by the Economic Development Department at Limerick City Council in association with the creative industries, commercial property owners and their agents operating in Limerick City Centre. Lise Ann Sheehan, project manager from Limerick City Council said the creative industries are those that are based on individual creativity, skill and talent. They also have the potential to create wealth and jobs through developing and exploiting intellectual property, she said. We welcome the addition of further premises and creatives.

not only supports the creative industries in Limerick but assists vacant property owners by keeping their premises clean and active, at no cost to the owner

Ms Sheehan said the initiative not only supports the creative industries in Limerick but assists vacant property owners by keeping their premises clean and active, at no cost to the owner. She continued: Involvement in the initiative allows owners to be associated with the growing creative industry in Ireland. All work displayed is available for sale and promotion, there is no costs to the creatives involved including licence agreements, insurance

cover and promotion. Ultimately the initiative seeks to enhance vibrancy and active frontages in Limerick city centre while promoting the work of the creative industries in our region.1

assists vacant property owners by keeping their premises clean and active, at no cost to the owner

Through this initiative several artist collectives have benefitted. For example Faber Studios have attained an open studio space where the public can see the artists at work as well as hosting exhibitions, discussions and workshops. Clive saysStudents from Limeric leave after college because there is no studio space. But now people are starting to stay and come back! Its good for Limeric, good for the community and good for the council.

Tom Prendergast, founding member and curator of Occupy Space Occupy Space is Limericks newest artist led exhibition space and has been set up to facilitate an ever expanding need for artistic exhibition spaces in Limerick. It is an artist led project, run by members of Wickham Street Studios and provided through the Creative Limerick initiative. Occupy Space will be committed to delivering a relentlessly energetic program of exhibitions and events and will provide a platform for engaging and challenging contemporary art.2

Temple Bar, Dublin

In the 1980s C.I.E proposed to buyup and demolish property in the area and build a bus terminus in its place. While this was in the planning stages, the purchased buildings were let out at low rents, which attracted small shops, artists and galleries to the area. Protests by An Taisce, residents and traders led to the cancellation of the bus station project, and the Taoiseach, Charles Haughey, secured funding and in 1991 the government set up a not forprofit company called Temple Bar Properties to oversee the regeneration of the area as Dublin's cultural quarter.

Camden Town Unlimited, Camden, London

The most successful case study of this PopUp Art strategy is in Camden, London. The program was initiated in January 2009 and aimed to fill empty retail units with interesting content and enhance the quality of the high street. This was supported by a number of objectives.

CTU adopted the following strategy for acquiring space: Agree a short term, rent free period of 36 months with a landlord on condition that CTU pay business rates and utilities for the period of occupation, rebrand exterior, manage the sublet process and agree to vacate the unit within two weeks if a permanent tenant is found. The occupier also agrees that they would open the unit for business(agreed by arrangement) 7 days a week, host at least one evening event (managed and promoted by the individual),return the unit in the same condition it was received. If the tenant fails to comply with the conditions or for any other reason, CTU can terminate the show.

Encourage the entry of new businesses on the high street. Using the space to generate publicity for the high street. Increase footfall to surrounding units.

Performance for the first 7 months were highly successful. The project has gathered momentum over its lifelime and there has been significant interest in major businesses using the space., with RKCR/Y&R, MTV, Dexter Moren Associated and Conran Design Group all interested in using the space as well as a list of over 50 designers, artists and fashion graduates. The results of this initiative also include:

Generated 30 press articles and over 15 related blog articles. Publicity and press coverage generated has been estimated at delivering a 6:1 returnoninvestment in advertising terms alone. Generated three enquiries from major broadcasters including the BBC for long term broadcast material. Twelve unique exhibitions/temporary retail experiences including art shows, final year fashion students selling catwalk pieces, free business advice sessions, exhibition space and more. Initiated collaborations and introductions with over 30 businesses in the area. Raised over 20,000 investment from public and private sector to invest in the project. Catalysed regeneration and inward investment: The landlords have reported that the units have both been let in far shoter periods than when they remained vacant. Permanent tenants were found for two locations, one within 3 weeks and the second within 6 weeks, despite both premises having previously stayed empty for over 6 months.3

Permanent tenants were found for two locations, one within 3 weeks and the second within 6 weeks, despite both premises having previously stayed empty for over 6 months

Free Space, New York

In New York this use of vacant retail buildings has been a huge success. Nonprofit groups using empty spaces include No Longer Empty and The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. Even the long established museum PS1 has followed in this route offering unused space to artists under the rubric Free Space. PS1 Director Klaus Biesenbach says Free Space encourages spirit by inviting artists, collectives and nonprofits that share likeminded missions to collaborate and experiment within the building. According to Manon Slome, one of the founders of this movement realtors are happy to offer vacant properties for shows which can attract up to 3,000 visitors at openings. One realtor said to me they couldnt get as many people through the door with a $5,000 ad as we bring in. These symbiotic arrangements have benefited from deveopers relatively recent appreciation of the economic stimulus arists can bring to a property. Alanna Heiss, founder of PS1, who in 1971 famously began the Institute of Art and Urban Resources, a nonprofit that showed avantgard work in such vacant spaces says she sees similarities between her organisation and whats happening today. There is a kind of art being made now that seems very comfortable in unusual spaces.4

One realtor said to me they couldnt get as many people through the door with a $5,000 ad as we bring in.

Chicago Loop Alliance, Chicago

Similarly in Chicago the Chicago Loop Alliance also has an initiative programme called PopUp Art Loop that allows artists to turn uoccupied storefronts into temporary galleries for free, Property owners give artits shortterm leases with a tenday kickout provision the space remains on the market with rental signs up while its being used as a gallery, and if it gets rented it has to be vacated and returned to its original condition within ten days. The artists may then be allowed to relocate the gallery to another Pop Up Loop space. The first three pop up spaces opened in November 2009 and hopes to support 2530 galleries by the end of 2010. CLA executive director Ty Tabing says

that the programme is as much about helping landlords rent their property as offering artists spaces to display their work for free in hugetraffic areas. This is a temporary response to the retail environment because what were advocating is the rental of these spaces.

The programme is as much about helping landlords rent their property as offering artists spaces to display their work for free in hugetrafficareas .

We at studentsZINE Ireland's Leading Publication for the Contemporary Arts has put this proposal OPEN GOREY together with the belief that with enough research and readily availble information regarding the potential the vacant properties hold it will be easier for an alliance to be formed between you, the property owner and us, the artists. We hope we have outlined clearly our objectives and shown you the benefits of our proposed project. We at studentsZINE are serious and committed to undertaking the responsibilities involved in running and curating and exhibition and gallery space. We are available to discuss any of our ideas further with you to work out an agreement that benefits both parties. For more info you can visit www.opengorey.wordpress.com / www.studentszine.com Looking forward to hearing from Best Regards Richard Carr Director: studentsZINE

Contact Details
studentszine@gmail.com Phone: 086 2622296 WWW.OPENGOREY.WORDPRESS.COM