OPEN GOREY: Pop-Up Gallery & Studio

8/6/2019 OPEN GOREY: Pop-Up Gallery & Studio

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STUDENTSZINE

OPEN GOREY POP UP GALLERY & STUDIOS



OPEN GOREY PROPOSAL

A PROPOSAL FOR THE USE OF VACANT PROPERTY IN GOREY TOWN

OPEN GOREY is an initiative set up by studentsZINE Ireland's Leading Publication for theContemporary 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 whilstalso informing property owners of the benefits of occupying artists. Propery owners would

provide artists with short term 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 emergingwithin 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 4 6 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 exhibitionof 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 wherewe would agree to open the unit 6 days a week. Host the 4 week International Exhibition of SoundArt, 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 andmaintanence, increased footfall to surrounding units and increased cultural interest in surroundingareas.



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 creativeindustries included in this initiative include advertising, architecture, art and antiques markets, computer and videogames, crafts, design, fashion, film and video, music, performing arts, publishing, software, television and radio.

“…not only supportsthe creativeindustriesin Limerick butassistsvacant propertyownersby keeping their premises clean andactive, at no cost totheowner”

The practitioners are responsible for fitting out the window space,lighting and keeping the display updated. Their work is insured andthere 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 practicalinitiatives co ordinated by the Economic Development Department atLimerick City Council in association with the creative industries,commercial property owners and their agents operating in LimerickCity Centre.

Lise Ann Sheehan, project manager from Limerick City Council saidthe creative industries are those that are based on individualcreativity, skill and talent. “They also have the potential to createwealth and jobs through developing and exploiting intellectual

property,” she said. “We welcome the addition of further premises andcreatives.”

Ms Sheehan said the initiative not only supports the creative industries in Limerick but assists vacant propertyowners by keeping their premises clean and active, at no cost to the owner. She continued: “Involvement in theinitiative allows owners to be associated with the growing creative industry in Ireland. All work displayed is availablefor 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 centrewhile promoting the work of the creative industries in our region.1

“assists vacant

property ownersby keeping their premises cleanand active, at no

cost to theowner”

Through this initiative several artist collectives have benefitted. For example Faber Studios have attained an openstudio 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 ledexhibition space and has been set up to facilitate an ever expanding need for artistic exhibition spaces in Limerick. Itis an artist led project, run by members of Wickham Street Studios and provided through the Creative Limerickinitiative. Occupy Space will be committed to delivering a relentlessly energetic program of exhibitions and eventsand will provide a platform for engaging and challenging contemporary art.2



Temple Bar, Dublin

In the 1980s C.I.E proposed to buy up 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 smallshops, artists and galleries to the area. Protests by An Taisce, residents and traders led to the cancellation of thebus station project, and the Taoiseach, Charles Haughey, secured funding and in 1991 the government set up a not for profit 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 Pop Up 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.

Encourage the entry of new businesseson the high street.

Using the space to generate publicity for the high street.

Increase footfall to surrounding units.CTU adopted the following strategy for acquiring space:

•Agree a short term, rent free period of 3 6 months with a landlord on condition that CTU pay business rates andutilities for the period of occupation,•rebrand exterior, manage the sub let process and agree to vacate the unit within two weeks if a permanent tenant isfound.•The occupier also agrees that they would open the unit for business(agreed by arrangement) 7 days a week, hostat least one evening event (managed and promoted by the individual),return the unit in the same condition it wasreceived.•If the tenant fails to comply with the conditions or for any other reason, CTU can terminate the show.



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

Permanent tenantswere found for twolocations, one within3 weeks and thesecond within 6weeks, despite both

premises havingpreviously stayedempty for over 6months

Generated 30 press articles and over 15 related blog articles. Publicity and press coverage generated has beenestimated at delivering a 6:1 return on investment

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 sellingcatwalk 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 infar 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



Free Space, New York

In New York this use of vacant retail buildings has been a huge success. Non profit groups using empty spacesinclude No Longer Empty and The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. Even the long established museum PS1 hasfollowed 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 non profits that share like minded missionsto collaborate and experiment within the building.” According to Manon Slome, one of the founders of thismovement 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 couldn’t get as many people through the door with a $5,000 ad as we bring in.” Thesesymbiotic arrangements have benefited from deveopers’ relatively recent appreciation of the economic stimulusarists can bring to a property. Alanna Heiss, founder of PS1, who in 1971 famously began the Institute of Art andUrban Resources, a non profit that showed avant gard work in such vacant spaces says she sees similaritiesbetween her organisation and whats happening today. “There is a kind of art being made now that seems verycomfortable in unusual spaces.”4

“One realtor said to methey couldn’tget as manypeoplethrough thedoor with a$5,000 ad aswe bring in.”



Chicago Loop Alliance, Chicago

Similarly in Chicago the Chicago Loop Alliance also has aninitiative programme called Pop Up Art Loop that allowsartists to turn uoccupied storefronts into temporary galleriesfor free, Property owners give artits short term leases with a“ten day kick out 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 itsoriginal condition within ten days. The artists may then beallowed to relocate the gallery to another Pop Up Loopspace. The first three pop up spaces opened in November 2009 and hopes to support 25 30 galleries by the end of 2010. CLA executive director Ty Tabing says

The programme is asmuch about helpinglandlords rent their property as offering

artists spaces todisplaytheir work for free inhuge trafficareas .

that the programme is as much about helping landlords rent their property as offering artists spaces to display their

work for free in huge traffic areas. “This is a temporary response to the retail environment because what we’readvocating is the rental of these spaces.”



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 betweenyou, 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

[email protected]

Phone:

086 2622296

WWW.OPENGOREY.WORDPRESS.COM

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OPEN GOREY: Pop-Up Gallery & Studio