Our Hack / Maker Space is part of ENAS - the Essex Network of Artists’ Studios - a new supportive initiative for artists, for studios, for the public, and for Essex. The scheme is currently a two-year pilot programme funded by Essex County Council, firstsite and Arts Council England.

Everyone who becomes a member of our Hack / Maker Space is also a member of ENAS. It’s a fantastic scheme to help support how artists and studio spaces work and develop. A great way to do this is through shared learning and I’m excited to announce they have recently published their first research trip to Bristol on Thursday 21st August.

There is no better way to improve what you do than checking out how and what other people are doing. Now why is Bristol a great place to visit I hear you ask? Well it’s a thriving cultural city with it’s own pound, lots of graffiti by a certain someone, brilliant community projects such as the Cube, the Bristol Bike Project, and some very exciting galleries, art collectives and studio spaces.

Our members and the ENAS folk can sign up to hop onto a coach to visit Bristol and get a good look at Spike Island (pictured above): An international centre for the development of contemporary art and design. Home to a gallery, café and working space for artists, designers and creative businesses. And the Arnolfini gallery, one of Europe’s leading centres for the contemporary arts.

Plus further visits/ talks are being negotiated with Situations, WORKS/PROJECTS, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Antlers Gallery, Pervasive Media Studio and STATION.

I will be attending, and I hope you can join us. If you’re interested in becoming a Hack / Space member drop me an email to find out more. If you want to join one of the many other spaces in Essex get in touch with ENAS.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS

Please note, tickets are offered on a first come, first serve basis and will be available until Monday 28 July. Tickets are priced at the subsidised rate of £10 and are not refundable. Refreshments throughout the day are not included. Members will be contacted after 28 July to ascertain which pick-up/ set-down point they wish to select.

Please note: you must be an ENAS member to book a ticket for this opportunity.