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UCS is pleased to announce the opening of the new creative arts hub 'Atrium Studios' which opened to the community in September 2011. Atrium Studios is the first of its kind in Ipswich, and presents an ideal opportunity for graduates, alumni, and the community to rent affordable studio and office space.
Photographs by Thomas Rose
The project is funded by UCS, Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk County Council and the Arts Council and will enable new opportunities in the arts to thrive. The impetus behind this new creative hub is to support the development of locally based artists by supporting new networks and business links and creating pathways from education to employment. This new affordable studio space is open to graduates, creative start-ups and aspiring artists.
Atrium Studios will host a varied schedule of seminars, showcases and exhibitions in which all members will be invited to participate. Members will also benefit from networking opportunities in a shared and stimulating environment, in addition to the full support of the UCS School of Arts and Humanities.
Head of Division for Art and Design in the School of Art and Humanities, Carol Brown says of the project:
“Atrium Studios offer an exciting environment of innovation, business and networking opportunities; a natural progression for the entrepreneurial artist or designer or new young graduate who may want to run their own business, develop freelance careers or to establish their own practice. The studios offer a creative, professional and social hub offering fantastic opportunities for the exchange of ideas and business collaboration.”
Greg Cooper, Cultural Development Manager, Ipswich Borough Council says:
"This will be an exciting and creative environment for start-up businesses, freelancers and artists from a variety of disciplines and provides an innovative approach towards developing community participation."
Cllr Judy Terry, Suffolk County Council Portfolio Holder for Greenest County, Economy and Skills says:
"I am delighted that Suffolk County Council has been able to support this innovative and exciting project. The atrium studios will allow artists from across Suffolk to benefit from having a creative place to develop and share their ideas."
The project will offer full/part time and social membership schemes that will include regular events for networking opportunities, exhibition opportunities and access to the UCS Library.
The project will be member-led so anybody joining now will become part of this new community from the very beginning and will be involved in shaping it at its earliest stages.
Dan Welsh, of Three&Me says:
"Setting up our company in the Atrium Studios has provided us with many great opportunities and has been an ideal stepping stone from leaving university and entering the business world.
It has offered us a great chance to work with other artists and designers who work in the studios. It's also provided us with networking opportunities with external businesses in the local area who visit the studios and other possible contacts who turn up to the events that Atrium Studios organises."
For more information visit atriumstudios.co.uk| or call 01473 338424
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