Partnerships
Lady Bay Open Studios aim to introduce art in an approachable setting where visitors can meet and talk to the artists involved, and engage in quality artwork and activity of many different kinds.
The annual event is a vibrant neighbourhood arts weekend with average attendance of 1,500 visitors who enjoy meeting up to 45 artists presenting artwork in exhibition, studios, demonstration, workshop and performance. Art forms include painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, photography, film, installation, music, jewellery, textiles, felt work, glass and furniture. The 10 or 11 venues are in homes, studios, gardens, and community halls on a pleasant walk round a friendly local area.
The event includes international artists among its visiting guests, with a core group of 15 local artists; and it is managed with the voluntary support of over 50 local people. Recently, development of individual professional practice and group activity has extended beyond the weekend framework to explore collaborative working, in projects using the arts in a community setting and to develop models of good practice. This includes working in professional and voluntary partnerships locally and in Nottingham itself.
Lady Bay Open Studios weekend has been successfully run since 1995 and the group have built an excellent relationship with their community. An ad hoc group initially, it was constituted as a membership organisation in 2003. Its finances depend on artists and membership contributions, with regular support from Rushcliffe Borough Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, and on occasion from Arts Council England East Midlands. The usual budget for the Open Studios weekend is about £1300.
The group values its excellent, mutually beneficial, relationships with neighbourhood partners, the arts community and funding authorities. The event is highly regarded for being friendly and professionally managed, by artists and visitors. Visitors readily recommend the event and the majority return bringing others. To maintain the quality of experience for visitors and artists, we keep the scale of the event manageable. The development of work and opportunity is sought in ways that extend activity and access in other settings.
You can visit the website from this link here