University News Last updated 08 April 2011
Eastside Projects, an innovative gallery space set up by the University’s in 2008, is celebrating after securing £375,000 of funding over the next four years.
The artist-run space, which works in partnership with Birmingham City University, has become known as a centre for experimental arts projects and exhibitions in the heart of Birmingham.
Conceived by artist-curator Gavin Wade, the gallery encourages artists to tailor the large warehouse space in Digbeth to suit their exhibitions. Ambitious installations, films, plays, sculptures and a dynamic artists’ associate scheme encourage audiences to question their movement and positioning within the space. Artists often leave parts of their exhibition in place which adds to the gallery overall and creates a cumulative effect of progress
One of the aims of the project is to help Birmingham-based artists and local arts graduates develop and thrive within the city. Birmingham City University the largest provider of arts-based graduates through its Birmingham Institute of Art & Design (BIAD) and Performance, Media and English (PME) faculties, and one of the largest and broadest provisions for professional arts training outside of London
The new funding, in the current era of budget cuts, is seen as a major endorsement of the project’s objectives, and will see Eastside Projects become a National Portfolio Organisation – Arts Council England’s new means of distributing funds.
The money will enable Eastside Projects to work more closely with its neighbours who make up We Are Eastside, a loose collective of creative organisations including 7inch Cinema, the Fierce Festival and Grand Union.
Gregory Sporton, Professor of Digital Creativity at BIAD, said: “We have a responsibility to Eastside and its organisations. This funding will open the door to further developing relationships with We Are Eastside, which in turn will provide real opportunities for arts students and graduates in the professional arts.”