Contents

Introduction

Finding the Space for Art

Thanks

Registered delegates

Finding the Space for Art

Anyone involved in the arts or in cultural policy will know why this event took place, without having needed to attend, and they may well be wondering why it had not taken place before.

No area knows more about the cultural industries premises crises than the East End of London, where several thousand visual artists have settled since the area's industrial decline in the last generation, taking full advantage of the cheap warehouse and factory space lying derelict in its post-industrial years. Now, however, the economy has stabilised and, with the ongoing demand for loft apartments, landlords and local authorities are in the privileged position of deciding how to use these properties. Without affordable property, workspace providers, along with their resident artists, will be squeezed out of the area, taking away that lively cultural environment which had originally acted as a catalyst for the new gentrification.

In their conference, Regeneration and the Premises Crises, Bow Arts Trust, Cable Street Studios, and Chisenhale Studios question what has become the view that there is a natural process of displacement of artists during regeneration. The conference has challenged this accepted view and has reminded us of the value of our artists and workspace providers to the community and policymakers alike. It has provided an awareness of the premises plight whilst offering practical solutions to solve the problem.

Part I of this report begins documentation of the conference with its principal speakers. Part II concludes the conference with a presentation of relevant case studies. Part III outlines the plan of action arising out of the conference.

AILEEN RYAN
Vision in Art
September 2000

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Thanks

We would like to thank the following individuals and agencies for their generous contribution enabling the event to take place:

SPEAKERS

Nick Green, Policy Officer, Town and Country Planning Association

Graham Hitchen, Cultural Advisor, Greater London Authority

John Lock (chairperson), Regional Manager, University of East London

CASE STUDIES

Marcel Baettig, Bow Arts Trust

Michael Cubey, Cable Street Studios

Helen Ridge, Chisenhale Arts Place

FUNDERS & SPONSORS

City Fringe Partnership

Cityside Regeneration

Cultural Industries Development Agency

The Government Office for London

Queen Mary and Westfield College

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Rose Butler, Zoom In

Suzanne Downward

Tom Fleming, CIDA

Sioned Jones

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Registered delegates