Artisans Guild
George Town Artisan Guild – Project Concept Plan
Vision
The approved purpose of the funding is to establish a new Artisans Guild in George Town to support local crafts people, including a new retail display store. A self-sustaining incorporated collective of Artists and Artisans sharing physical spaces and human capital to create, showcase and retail their crafts.
Purpose
To provide:
- retail and gallery space for creatives to showcase and sell their products;
- a governance framework to achieve optimal operating model, independence and self-sustainable: and
- affordable spaces in the form of workshops and studios for local creatives to share skills, interests and socially engage while crafting their wares in a central location.
Why
The municipal area of George Town is home to a vast array of talented creatives producing fine art, wood work, metal work, textiles, ceramics, cultural artefacts and various other crafts. A number of art groups exist, however there is no independent entity that represents all artists or artisans or physical space within George Town to co-create, collaborate, socialise, exhibit and sell their creations.
The Artisans Guild initiative will provide the environment for creatives to thrive, share their knowledge and skills, provide pathways for developing and future artists and also add to.
How
Council will provide a retail space on Macquarie Street for artists to showcase and sell their wares. The space will managed under a cooperative model where artists/artisans give their time to staff the retail space.
Council will also establish an ‘Artisans Guild’ providing support for governance, marketing and business inauguration with a view to transition the ‘Artisans Guild’ to an independent and sustainable entity.
Council will also provide a physical space for creatives to lease/rent at low cost based on an application process and assessment criteria to be defined. These spaces will provide power and lighting for a ‘studio like’ space. The collective of spaces will comprise toilet facilitates, gallery space, commercial kitchen, firing kiln, internal and external workshop spaces and the ability to host skills classes.
To view the Grant Deed please click HERE
Grant Deed - variation please click HERE
Membership/Volunteer Expression of Interest
ALL interested community members are welcome. Plenty of opportunities are available for everyone not just artists/artisans… such as retail, marketing, e-commerce, bookkeeping and much more. For more information please contact Council on 6382 8800 or council@georgetown.tas.gov.au
George Town Council is supported by the Tasmanian Government.