On Wednesday 12th October 2012 Making Space presented the first seminar in our Dialogue series. Making Space Dialogues is a programme of free public lectures that offers Athlone audiences interaction with interesting artists offering an insight into how they work, create and think. These talks create a platform for critique and dialogue between emerging and established artists in the Midlands and beyond.
The first series of Making Space Dialogue is based on exploring the concept of artist led initiatives in Ireland. Looking at the current trend of artists turning away from the traditional art institutions and creating spaces to meet their own needs. These artist led spaces and initiatives provide alternative frameworks for art practice and represent communities where ‘doing it yourself’ and experimentation are key activities. These seminars will bring together an exciting sample of diverse contemporary art practices from some of the most interesting artist led spaces in Ireland.
We were delighted to have Grace McEvoy from Block T come down from dublin to talk about how Block T was set up, its function, their programme of events and management structure. Grace gave a real insight into the hard work done behind the scenes of all involved in their artist run studios and gallery space.
'BLOCK T is an organisation that provides a platform for visual and performing arts, as well as fostering philosophical, creative and social innovation, locally and internationally
BLOCK T operates under an integrated business and management structure which seeks to develop a sustainable, multidisciplinary business model, targeted towards the creative industries in Ireland. Utilising business management tools such as resource control, templated documentation, milestone planning and consistent overview of weekly targets and objectives, BLOCK T enables itself to reach its financial goals and aims to be self-sufficient and not overly reliant on government funding.
BLOCK T aims to transcend the status of being an arts centre, art studios or a blank-canvas function space. While it certainly–and importantly–fills this role, its wider mission is to provide a platform for creative thinking of all avenues. It strives to help independent, self-sufficient and productive individuals to bridge the gap between theory and practice in their their art or discipline, and to give them exposure to a wider audience.' - Taken from www.blockt.ie
The first series of Making Space Dialogue is based on exploring the concept of artist led initiatives in Ireland. Looking at the current trend of artists turning away from the traditional art institutions and creating spaces to meet their own needs. These artist led spaces and initiatives provide alternative frameworks for art practice and represent communities where ‘doing it yourself’ and experimentation are key activities. These seminars will bring together an exciting sample of diverse contemporary art practices from some of the most interesting artist led spaces in Ireland.
We were delighted to have Grace McEvoy from Block T come down from dublin to talk about how Block T was set up, its function, their programme of events and management structure. Grace gave a real insight into the hard work done behind the scenes of all involved in their artist run studios and gallery space.
'BLOCK T is an organisation that provides a platform for visual and performing arts, as well as fostering philosophical, creative and social innovation, locally and internationally
BLOCK T operates under an integrated business and management structure which seeks to develop a sustainable, multidisciplinary business model, targeted towards the creative industries in Ireland. Utilising business management tools such as resource control, templated documentation, milestone planning and consistent overview of weekly targets and objectives, BLOCK T enables itself to reach its financial goals and aims to be self-sufficient and not overly reliant on government funding.
BLOCK T aims to transcend the status of being an arts centre, art studios or a blank-canvas function space. While it certainly–and importantly–fills this role, its wider mission is to provide a platform for creative thinking of all avenues. It strives to help independent, self-sufficient and productive individuals to bridge the gap between theory and practice in their their art or discipline, and to give them exposure to a wider audience.' - Taken from www.blockt.ie