Sunderland 10x10: Ten artists into Ten Businesses - presents - Culture ...
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presents Sunderland 10x10: Ten artists into Ten Businesses
FOREWORD 100X100: NORTH EAST CASE
FOR CULTURE
It might seem strange to discuss art your products and services are more might never have thought of having
and business in the same breath. demanding than ever, expecting you this creative dialogue. The artists have The 100x100 initiative grew from The idea for 100x100 was to be a local authorities and 100x100 is a
Aren’t they completely separate? to improve. But innovation isn’t easy. challenged the embedded wisdom…. North East Culture Partnership’s rolling programme of artists working key initiative within our North East of
Don’t they even use different It needs insights and ideas. and encouraged business leaders to Business subgroup led by Louise with businesses and we were looking England Case for Culture which was
language? And have different embrace visionary change. Hunter at Northumbria Water, and to learn from national initiatives like launched at Durham Castle and the
measures of success? And aren’t these Insights through many different aimed to enable positive and creative the 2001 Year of the Artist and the Houses of Parliament in 2015.
people completely different! lenses, the usual ones from customers I encourage you to imagine a future relationships between culture work of Arts and Business in the
and suppliers, but also unusual ones in which our brilliant North East and business in the North East. Case for Culture is an ambitious vision
region, to develop a new approach
Well, no. They can complement each that give you the edge. Then there creative community can not only for cultural development in the North
We consulted business leaders and for the North East that would
other so well and Sunderland 10x10 are ideas. The starting point for those enrich our lives through beautiful and East over the next 15 years, informed
commissioned a survey into regional be beneficial for both artists and
has shown that perfectly. The project solutions that bring these insights challenging art and culture but can and shaped by people living, working
has challenged perceived wisdom business attitudes and engagement business but also allow unexpected
to life as innovations. It’s all about also drive our economic prosperity. with the arts and the 100x100 idea and creating in the region.
and shown us that artists can add and creative things to happen as
a view of the world and creative Sunderland 10x10 has pioneered a was then endorsed by NE Chamber of
real value to businesses. And that, relationships developed. Find out more here
opportunity. Insights, creative ideas way in which this might happen. It’s Commerce and the CBI.
if we can capture this more broadly, and clever solutions. up to us to add scale and impact, Sunderland Cultural Partnership have www.case4culture.org.uk
we’ll all benefit from more businesses especially as we prepare our bid for North East Culture Partnership taken a regional lead in delivering Matthew Jarratt
growing innovatively. And that’s where the artists in City of Culture 2021. Enjoy innovation has been delighted to see how the first 10x10 phase of the 100x100 Manager, North East Culture
Sunderland 10x10 have made at the boundaries at its best.
Business needs to innovate to grow. Sunderland have developed the initiative and encouraged the appetite Partnership
their mark. Following some initial
That’s mainly because change is 100x100 concept, attracting funding for new creative approaches with a
workshops led by our very own North Professor Roy Sandbach
happening all around, twenty four from Arts Council England and great range of businesses across the
East Business Innovation Centre and Director, National Centre for Ageing
hours a day. The world is a connected Creative Fuse North East, and made City. North East Culture Partnership
supported by committed project Science & Innovation,
place, competitors are always managers, they have brought fresh new partnerships between artists and brings together leaders from arts,
Former Chair, Innovation Board, North local businesses.
catching up and the people who buy eyes and ideas to businesses that heritage, business, education and
East Local Enterprise Partnership.
INTRODUCTION CREATIVE FUSE NORTH EAST
In March 2016 Sunderland 10x10 The response to our call for artists the pairings have remained in contact Creative Fuse North East is Like 100 Artists into 100 Businesses, This in turn will feed into Creative
launched; an aspirational artist and was overwhelming and demonstrated and continued to work together via a collaborative research and of which Sunderland 10 x 10 is the Fuse’s research and pilot innovations
business initiative and first strand of the breadth of quality practice in other means. innovation project, co-funded by first strand, Creative Fuse North East elsewhere, especially in other areas
100 Artists into 100 Businesses - part the region. The selection process the Arts and Humanities Research is a product of North East Culture of spillover such as sustainable
of North East Culture Partnership’s was an eye opening experience for The idea of artists working with Council, involving all five North East Partnership. Its research team is transport, health and wellbeing.
regional 15 year Case for Culture. some of the businesses. In many businesses is by no means a new one. universities (Durham, Northumbria, evaluating the outcomes of 10 x 10 The fusion of creative thinking with
cases, their selection challenged their But what is new is the idea that within Sunderland, Teesside and led by to understand better how creative commercial business skills mirrors the
It has at its heart two aims: innovation the North East each place can make Newcastle). It explores the ‘fusion’ thinking and disruptive innovation entrepreneurial mix of creativity and
preconceived notion of the artform
and collaboration. By brokering a shared commitment to facilitate of creativity, culture and digital can benefit a range of businesses that digital skills at the heart of Creative
they expected to connect with.
conversations between businesses arts and business cooperation in a technology, working with a range do not normally engage with creative Fuse, as well as the collaboration
and artists we hoped to create After a CPD session run by North way that works for our own localities’ of businesses, stakeholders and practitioners. This concept of ‘spillover’ between the universities and the CDIT
opportunities to develop new work East Business Innovation Centre and unique challenges and opportunities. practitioners across the Creative, from the creative sector into the sector: all powerful interdisciplinary
for mutual benefit and learning. a collaborative workshop hosted by Digital and IT (CDIT) sector. Its first business community is an important approaches that allow the skills and
our associate curator Suzy O’Hara, the Sunderland Cultural Partnership is
We’re fortunate in Sunderland to proud to have successfully delivered phase comprises an exercise to map strand for Creative Fuse. While many innovative thinking of the North East
have great dialogue between the pairings had one month to develop the size and nature of this sector businesses see themselves as creative, to benefit its economy into the future.
a proposal. They were invited to the first phase of 100x100 and look
cultural and business sectors and forward to seeing it going forward in the region and the role of its they often shy away from genuine
pitch to a panel of arts and business networks, identifying barriers and entrepreneurship and risk – a vital Professor Eric Cross,
were not short of interest from from here.
experts which assessed the quality opportunities. These results will component of genuine innovation. Dean of Cultural Affairs,Newcastle
organisations willing to commit not
and creativity of their collaboration Helen Connify inform a second phase which will University
just time, but some financial resource
and idea. Two pairings were awarded Sunderland Cultural Partnership design innovation pilots to investigate The evaluation of 10 x 10 suggests Principal Investigator, Creative FUSE
to a project which admittedly had a
commission funds to realise the idea. new models of collaboration between that creative practitioners can act as North East
strong element of ‘see what happens’
attached to it. We are grateful to all We are pleased to see that some of Higher Education and the sector to catalysts for innovation, promoting
who took part. support the creative economy. new thinking within businesses.
10 X 10 PAIRINGS: 10 X 10 PAIRINGS:
ARC ADOPTION & ASHMORE CONSULTING &
ANNE CURTIS SUPPORTED BY THE CULTURAL SPRING STEVIE RONNIE
PROPOSAL PITCH
ARC ADOPTION ANNE CURTIS
Flotilla of Light, a city wide,
The team at ARC Adoption were I felt I had really achieved something to create an innovative system
participatory boat building
delighted and honoured to take part when I was selected as one of the that we believe will be of national
project, that celebrates
in such an exciting project. Everyone 10x10 artists as I know the process interest to City Councils who are
Sunderland’s world leading boat
in the team enjoyed welcoming Anne will have been pretty competitive. struggling to deal with adoption in
building heritage and brings
into our organisation and spending Working with ARC Adoption gave their borough and thereby looking for
attention to the arrival of the Tall
time with her. Being involved in this me a great opportunity to develop other providers. We believe this will
Ships to Sunderland in 2018.
project brought a new perspective to my work in response to a business make Arc’s offer stronger, grow the
adoption, particularly looking at the problem. It was great because I company and thereby improving the
adoption journey from a child’s point like problem solving...and because adoption process for all concerned...
of view. I was being paid to think (usually and most importantly children
this is given free) and develop ideas. and young people. The funding
As a team we benefitted from The ARC team has been able to see will allow us to meet business,
having the opportunity and allocated how working with an artist could social engagement and emotional
time to think more artistically and bring new perspectives, combining challenges faced by Arc and its clients
creatively about a subject that we objectivity with creative thinking to and develop solutions. We have had
are all so very close to. Although consider very challenging business two initial meetings with the Arc
we weren’t successful in the project issues. An additional benefit to ARC Director and Team Leaders and will
prize commission we have been is the network that I bring with me - deliver 2 workshops in November to
fortunate enough to receive funding connections to people and businesses engage the whole team in the process
from the Department of Education that might work for ARC in the future. of Business Transformation. We see
which will allow us to continue to this as a staged delivery and a long-
work collaboratively alongside Anne Following a conversation with my term relationship with Arc.
and her company on an exciting and colleague and fellow Director of ASHMORE CONSULTING
innovative project which includes Shoo Fly Publishing, Arc submitted SO... 10x10 planted the seed and the
digitalising individual children’s life a proposal for support from seed has GROWN... Now it’s time for Sunderland 10x10 was a very positive from working with Stevie was that, the way that I work and the type of
story books. government funding. This was it to develop into a beautiful oak tree experience for us as a business and despite working on very different organisations that I engage with as
successful and we are presently with strong roots and far-reaching was both enjoyable and provided projects in different sectors, our goals part of my practice. It was particularly
moving forward with the Arc team branches! many learning opportunities. It gave and ambitions were actually quite useful to work with an organisation
us the chance to work with someone well aligned. For example, we look that had similar strategic goals to me.
who is highly creative and gave us a at ways to increase footfall from a I was surprised by this and although
different insight into the way we work business perspective, and although there was more of a focus on the
and thereby maximise our output. Stevie wouldnt express it like that, he financial impact of our proposal than
The process also allowed us to get is trying to get people to attend his would generally be the case in my
an insight into the creative industries shows and exhibitions. So, although work, I found that the other aims
sector, see how an artist works on the language may be different, and objectives of Ashmore in terms
a day-to-day basis and develop an what we are respectively looking to of regeneration and community
understanding of challenges faced. accomplish is often very similar. engagement were very closely aligned
The main challenge for us was to my own when I am working on
finding time in people’s diaries to community based projects.
work collaboratively; being a small STEVIE RONNIE
company we are often all in different Reflecting on the experience of the
Sunderland 10 x 10 was a new, useful residency now I think it was key that I
places working on different things. and interesting way of working for
PROPOSAL PITCH However, we did manage to get was treated as an equal partner in the
me as an artist. It has changed the process and not just someone who
Sprig and Pip: A Story of Sibling together regularly with Stevie, and way that I think about potential
these sessions proved very productive. could help the organisation in terms
Adoption, an animation that tells partners for my projects and helped of marketing their product to clients.
the story of what exactly happens The process also allowed us to see me to realise that I have a wide range Ashmore made me feel like I was an
throughout the adoption process how an artist could be employed of skills that I can offer businesses integral part of the team and it was a
from the child’s point of view. effectively in an organisation to and partners from the commercial real pleasure to work with them.
help it meet its goals. One of the sector. I expect this experience to
more surprising things we learnt have a positive long-term impact on
10 X 10 PAIRINGS: 10 X 10 PAIRINGS:
FABLAB & MAC TRUST &
TIM SHAW DAVID LISSER
FABLAB TIM SHAW MAC TRUST DAVID LISSER
Being a part of Sunderland 10X10 was Working with FabLab allowed me I believe artists working within and Taking part in Sunderland 10x10 was For me, Sunderland 10 x 10 can be fascinating to learn how they weave
great for us at the FabLab. Much of to explore new technologies and collaborating with businesses is an an eye opener for us at the MAC characterised as a period of intense that into the world of social, cultural
our work is around commissions and techniques through the resources interesting yet challenging model and Trust. As a creative business, we are learning. Initially the business advice and economic regeneration. This lead
education provision and so working and expertise on site. I investigated the artwork made must be critical of used to working in new ways but and collaboration sessions helped to some great discussions on the
with an artist for a significant period the role of digital technologies within this. Wherever possible it should avoid the events we deliver are mainly us to present my practice from a usefulness of art and its role in social
allowed sustained collaboration. the urban environment, prototyped a branding clichés, or simply be a way commissioning artists and performers different perspective and to ask some change - both good and bad.
FabLab is very open to artistic number of different devices and used of gaining public footfall but rather to deliver something for us, not us important questions. It was useful
process and so we are perhaps more these as a way of getting to know create opportunities for allowing to actually be involved in the creative to learn strategies for increasing On a practical level I learned new skills
predisposed to exploration of artistic the city. people to see the world differently. process. In that sense, we gained a exposure and identifying partners, in 3d modelling and gained some
viewpoints. Allowing the artists to find new ways greater understanding of how much but it also highlighted differences interesting insight into production
With my final presentation I of operating and the businesses to thought, time and effort goes into between business thinking and art planning, but upon reflection it was
How artists can work with businesses proposed a critical take on the gain new perspectives on how to ideas and the delivery of a quality practice; the role of money being a clear that my approach occasionally
in a way that is uncompromising role of art and its impact on the conduct themselves and engage project. Working with David Lisser crucial point of distinction here. This bordered on product design-
to the art itself is a very difficult economy, drawing on the findings I people. This was a unique opportunity was an excellent experience for us. It theme of new perspective continued something I will be aware of in future
thing to balance. The business will had learnt from Sunderland through for me to work with professional was interesting to see how we both in my placement. projects. Ultimately the project helped
understandably have a message my prototype explorations. ADRIFT, a practitioners within the lab and to approached the task at hand and to unpick some of the complex manners
that it wants to incorporate in any hydroelectric artwork for Sunderland, witness first hand how a space like find that middle ground where we MAC were excellent partners, and I in which business, art, policy, and civic
commission. The artist likely wants to would have floated on the river this operates. Tony and the FabLab could both share our opinions and feel lucky to have worked alongside pride are intertwined and no doubt
convey an idea without compromising Wear, using the water’s current to staff were very supportive with my ideas and work together to create them. As they are used to working this will continue to inform and guide
their artistic values. mine Bitcoin. This (very small amount work and engaged (both critically and something unique. with artists, they were comfortable my practice in ways that are, as yet,
of) money would have then been creatively) with all of the ideas I had. with the uncertainty that is part and unknown.
These two positions are difficult to invested in the local economy. As a business, we felt that David took parcel of artistic process and it was
reconcile with each other and can lead the time to understand our aims and
to different perceptions by businesses objectives and adapted to our ways
of working with artists; to either avoid of working just as much as we had
it because of discomfort in what the to open our minds to the areas that
outcome could be or possibly leading David enjoys working in (sculpture,
to the kind of compromise where the unexpected). This enabled us to
the artist’s message may be muted. have discussions and blue sky thinking
With creativity as an exploratory sessions that boiled down to a solid
process and Tim’s excellent and interesting concept for seeing our
communication with us, we were able city in a different way as it begins to
to feel comfortable with the natural change over the next few years.
ambiguity that occurs in the creative
process. Tim’s proposal reflected very
well many of the themes that FabLabs
globally have discussed.
Themes such as seeking to understand
the locality, recognising change over
time, looking at uniqueness in the
economy of the place and using modern
methods and materials are as relevant PROPOSAL PITCH PROPOSAL PITCH
and represented in Tim’s work as it is
in any FabLab in any part of the world. ADRIFT, a hydroelectric artwork A series of fully rotatable and
floating on the river Wear, using moveable kaleidoscopic sculptures
the water’s current to mine Bitcoin embedded into the fabric of
that would be invested in the local the city, to enable the people of
economy. Sunderland to view their city in a
different way.
10 X 10 PAIRINGS: 10 X 10 PAIRINGS:
NORTHUMBRIAN WATER & SUNDERLAND AFC &
CORINNE KILVINGTON CHRIS McHUGH
SAFC
The football club was keen to use
the Sunderland 10x10 opportunity
for the hotel the Hilton Garden Inn
Sunderland, as a new development
for us. We felt it would be a great way
to engage the new staff team and to
create a piece of art for the city that
would be displayed for tourists and
people who are visiting the hotel and
restaurant from within the city.
We decided to work with Chris
McHugh, an artist based at National
Glass Centre. The reason we chose
Chris was due to his background
working with communities and
groups and we thought that he would
work well with the staff in the hotel
and also look at the club’s history
with our club historian, looking at the
history of the site and the history of
the football club, hotel and the wider
city. Chris’s art is really steeped in the
NORTHUMBRIAN WATER heritage of the city and this appealed The project provided an excellent PROPOSAL PITCH
PROPOSAL PITCH opportunity to gain further experience
to us. Sunderland ‘til I Die, an installation
Northumbrian Water is investing £8 significant environmental and societal An adaption of the Hans Christian of collaborating with two non-
million to upgrade the sewer network benefits. These systems include ponds Anderson tale of the Tin Solder; There are many benefits for academic organisations, which will of a reimaged, ceramic Sunderland
in Sunderland to reduce flooding and or rainwater gardens. Sunderland this community-led performance businesses such as ours and artists help to guide my future projects. May jug, featuring ceramic, digital
protect the environment. The water 10x10 is a fantastic initiative that tells the story of the drainage to work together; it allows staff to 2016 was a very busy time for both decals of archival imagery
company took the opportunity to provided a unique opportunity for system through the environment it engage with something outside of the Club and the hotel as the latter depicting Sunderland football past
leave a legacy of the work they are Northumbrian Water to gain a better creates. their normal work, and it allows had only just opened. Staff members and present, collaged with images
carrying out in the area by taking part understanding of how art, in its many businesses to contribute back to the were still being trained and there was of the new hotel.
in Sunderland 10x10. forms, can help a business to think cultural offer, which is so important an air of excitement and expectancy
differently about communicating to to making Sunderland a vibrant and within the building. I worked closely
Northumbrian Water was paired with customers. interesting place. with David Jackson, SAFC’s Marketing Sunderland ‘til I Die, the ceramic work
Corinne Kilvington who is Creative CORINNE KILVINGTON Manager, to plan the residency and developed as part of the residency,
Director of Theatre Space North East. Both Corinne and those that were to select images from the Club’s was to form part of a mantelpiece-
Corinne’s work is mainly theatre in involved from the water company “Northumbrian Water CHRIS McHUGH archive for use as surface decoration like installation in the hotel’s lobby,
were at times out of their comfort
open spaces. Ideal for helping the
utility communicate their sustainable zone as they were encouraged to look
and Theatre Space North During my PhD at the University of
in my ceramic work. Rob Mason, welcoming visitors with imagery from
SAFC historian, provided a fascinating Sunderland, past and present.
drainage systems messages and at things from another perspective East are currently working Sunderland and Sunderland Museum insight into some of the objects in the
benefits in a fun, creative and – this was the result of bring art and & Winter Gardens, I had wanted Club’s collection. Art commissions and residencies
appealing way. engineering together! together to develop a to approach SAFC with a view to are time-dependent and require a
Traditional engineering solutions are theatre production to be developing a collaborative piece
of artwork inspired by historical
The project brief was to work with the
newly appointed staff to encourage
high order of communication and
collaboration. Sunderland 10x10
now not the only choice for reducing
flood risk. Using sustainable drainage hopefully used in schools Sunderland pottery. Sunderland 10 x a sense of ownership and team spirit. provided an excellent opportunity to
10 provided a perfect opportunity to The Club wanted the artwork to form gain further experience of working
solutions, which are being installed
as part of the Sunderland scheme,
across the region. A great do this, with the added bonus of also a centrepiece in the hotel, helping with two non-academic organisations
being able to work with the newly-
can be more cost effective and have result!” opened Hilton Garden Inn.
visitors to feel at home, as well as
imparting to them something of
which will help me to guide future
projects.
Sunderland’s rich heritage.
10 X 10 PAIRINGS: 10 X 10 PAIRINGS:
SES & SIGLION &
RACHEL MAGDEBURG ERIN DICKSON
SES
Over its 33 year history, SES has
always tried to support the arts
and contribute to the growth of
the creative industries particularly
in Sunderland. This is partly due
to the fact that SES’s project lead,
Kevin Marquis, has a fine art degree
and the SES approach is based on
self –help and can-do, which defined
our approach to Sunderland 10x10
as means of allowing the artist’s
creativity to flourish. Rachel
Magdeburg was a good choice for SES.
Her own politics and empathy with
our values meant she quickly got
what we were about and, thankfully, Sunderlandia – a building co-op PROPOSAL PITCH
it resonated with her. There was which was the catalyst for much of
Co-operative and Social Enterprise A multi component exhibition
no clear brief at the beginning, just responding to SES’s history,
some ideas. We wanted the brief to Development in the North East and
was the forerunner to SES. This is a values, politics and services
emerge in response to SES’s history, through film, characterisation,
values, politics and services. But most significant find for us and the Co-op
Movement. painting and an adapted karaoke
of all by Rachel and what fired her experience. SIGLION ERIN DICKSON PROPOSAL PITCH
interest and enthusiasm. SES was
very pleased that the final brief was RACHEL MAGDEBURG Erin’s work attracted us by the way I knew the potential 10x10 Dream Project [Working Title], an
to devise a chronicling of the history her initial concept responded to partnership with Siglion was bound ambitious and playful response
of SES within the economic, political Sunderland 10x10 presented the for it’ streak and I created designs the location at Vaux, which chimed to go well, when during the initial to the redevelopment of the Vaux
and social landscape, our roots in test of ‘collaboration’ and what that and pitched ideas that pushed my with the challenges we are facing in jurying process CEO John Seager site, involving clouds, in the heart
the co-operative movement and our means when your ‘collaborator’ is practice, although still in-keeping bringing a very open site to life before asked me whether I felt comfortable of Sunderland city.
continuing deprivation. Thankfully from an entirely different field of with my ultimate interests. I worked we have any meaningful development going large-scale. As an artist who
Rachel was enthused by a story that expertise (i.e. business). It felt and on a proposed larger scale and bigger completed. We knew that standing on tends towards the dramatic, and
needs telling. It did challenge us. transpired to be an artist driven budget than I had done to date. the site you experience an immense where dramatic generally means
endeavour, with the business injecting amount of sky, with views across to big, it felt like the fantasy first date. pursue The Dream Project. The initial
SES has always viewed what we did ideas and ensuring their goals and In terms of my own experience, I the sea; we liked the idea of clouds The date must have gone well for discussions were not based in reality,
as very creative and ground breaking philosophy were represented. I do gained an in-depth knowledge of appearing to have come down to land Siglion too, as I was selected as one but rather in an ideal world, where
particularly around Community think there is scope for a dynamic the history of social enterprise and before floating up again into the blue. of two artists to work with them for usual restrictions do not exist. If I take
Economic Development and growing truly collaborative business/artist co-operativism in the UK (and to some the following month on Sunderland one thing away from working with
the Social and Co-operative Enterprise relationship through decision-making, extent Japan) and area knowledge of Erin’s technical abilities are coming 10x10. Despite not winning one of Siglion its to continue developing The
sector in Sunderland and across the exploration and partnership but I Hendon, I used new techniques and to the fore as we work with Inflate the two 10x10 juried commissions, Dream in my future practice instead of
North East. This process gave SES a think ingrained notions of art and equipment, I pursued lines of enquiry on retaining the concept through the I continue to work with them six worrying about real world restrictions
creative shake up and did suggest business are still barriers for both and that were dead-ends, diversions production process. months on. – they can be worked out later.
that we may not be as creative as we it also demands stepping outside daily and distractions, and the process of
The playfulness and outright fun of The collaborative process of 10x10 The Dream Project is still underway,
think we are. We are still pondering workflows. editing ideas was crucial. The impact
the idea will contribute to our more highlighted misplaced preconceptions. slated to be completed in summer
that outcome and we will respond to my practice is still occurring and
There was initially the misconception celebratory messages for the people I assumed working with a business 2017. Its essence is tied to its initial
– we have to because creativity and I am interested in some of the ideas
that this was an artist-in residence discussed with Kevin and Mark whilst of Sunderland, whilst also providing would feel restrictive and corporate mystery, so until it is realised we’re
maintaining a critical edge is essential highly flexible spaces for events
to our sustainability. opportunity, rather than working working with them. I enjoyed our compared to my usual practice, keeping it under wraps. I hope it is
together. My experience in this project exchanges and admire the work and gatherings both on the site however I was surprised to find I was experienced with the enthusiasm with
Finally, to end on a very practical was wholly rewarding and it allowed they do and appreciate the fantastic and elsewhere as the clouds touch constantly encouraged by the team to which it was imagined.
success, Rachel did uncover a me to push my creative barriers. The support they offered me. down in other parts of the city, and
documentary from the 1970s on competitive element fuelled my ‘go beyond…
COMMISSION
WINNING Athenaeum Nights, an
innovative series of three art
COMMISSION based events that celebrate the
SUNDERLAND BUSINESS currently vacant Athenaeum
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT & building located in the heart of
BREEZE CREATIVES Sunderland city.
BREEZE CREATIVES
Taking part in Sunderland 10X10
has been a true experience. As
an organisation we are actively
seeking to champion alternate
SUNDERLAND BID funding structures and business
initiatives, so the very essence of
When first told about the 10x10 find an empty building and agreed
the project appealed to us from the
project we, the bid team, wondered the Athenaeum would be perfect. A
beginning. Teaming with the BID
how we were going to pick a business beautiful building in need of a new
team to showcase these events in
to be entered into this? Retail? custodian, a city centre location with
the Athenaeum Building has been an
Leisure? Bar or club? Cafe? We gave potential and a chance to showcase
invaluable opportunity.
some more thought to it and asked events and exhibitions as part of our
what were the key projects the bid vibrancy agenda. Working with Sunderland BID has
were working on, was there a way to seemed to meld itself into our work
include the 10x10 work in something The work that we have carried out
life - a true partnership that has
we’d already been asked to tackle. with Breeze has answered the brief
exceeded our expectations; sharing
we set perfectly, and we’re aiming to
a genuine combined enthusiasm to
We were split between two options: achieve more as the bid helps Breeze
secure not only a platform in which to
vacant properties and vibrancy. During with investigations into taking the
showcase three events, but to ignite
the short listing stage it became clear lease for the Athenaeum long term.
these events with the idea of the
we could tackle both. A submission The bid still has a lot to do in the city,
future, of things to come, of exciting
from a group we’d heard of, Breeze, but it looks like we shall have one
regeneration and reinvention. I think
were bringing life back to a vacant less vacant property.... and a lot of
that what we have learned from
property in Newcastle, and doing vibrancy!
this whole experience is that there is
it creatively. Literally filling it with
The project will provide more artists a real appetite within the business
creatives and their outputs. Perfect
working in the city, another potential community, to support not only
match possibly?
resource for businesses, more events artists and cultural activity but to see
Having chosen to work with Breeze, in the city and help to build towards the potential that these extended
we were really pleased to take part the city’s goal of being UK City of communities bring.
in the Hack workshop, discovering Culture 2021.
These partnerships can bring about
that although from seemingly
exciting and unusual opportunities,
different worlds; Breeze from the
that as artists we can respond
creative and the Bid from business, a
and react to. Breeze Creatives will
shared language and aspiration was
continue to work with Sunderland
going to be firmly at the root of our
BID following the completion of this
partnership. We worked together to
project.
COMMISSION
Between Wind and Water,
WINNING an artist’s film-based project
that makes a clear connection
COMMISSION between Sunderland’s history
SIGLION & and its present as a place filled
DOMINIC SMITH with creativity and ingenuity.
SIGLION
As an organisation we already We found the Sunderland 10x10 open and inspiring when sharing
appreciate the value that artists process thoroughly positive and it is their ethos and their goals to make a
bring, we understand that artists leading to a broader awareness of positive impact upon this landscape.
see the world differently which is our aims, objectives and approach I worked on the big picture, making
both exciting and challenging. The across the arts and culture sectors in use of flying camera drone footage,
workshop activity at the start of Sunderland. showing the changing landscape
the 10x10 process helped us all to from a bird’s eye view, and collecting
identify the commonality between recorded stories that connect
artists and business, much more than DOMINIC SMITH Sunderland’s past and present during
we expected, and from this point on a period of change.
we reached a level of understanding Working with Siglion as part of
about methods of working that Sunderland 10x10 really brought It has enabled me to construct a
proved invaluable through the home something that we all know unique journey down the Wear that
process. but don’t talk about loudly enough. shows us how history flows from
Sunderland is a city of makers. It has the future to the past. It has been a
The immediate benefit from a proud history of people working very interesting experience working
Sunderland 10x10 was some very together to make big exciting things as part of Sunderland 10x10. There
useful introductions to individuals happen. My work is a film-based were so many great artists involved
and other activities in Sunderland. project that makes a clear connection and Sunderland Cultural Partnership’s
But it was also more productive between Sunderland’s history and ability to bring 10 artists and
than a meet and greet as we had an present as a place filled with creativity businesses together in such a skilled
opportunity to understand the range and ingenuity. and productive way was inspiring.
of work being practiced through the
activities we took part in and it gave Throughout the development of the This work will be presented in
us a platform to demonstrate how project I was based at Siglion, an collaboration with a number of
we wish to work with artists and organisation that is building part organisations based in Sunderland.
practitioners. of Sunderland’s future with a keen We will be working together to create
awareness of its past. They have been a drive in cinematic experience in 2017.
Sunderland Cultural Partnership
would like to thank
www.sunderlandculturalpartnership.co.uk
All photgraphy kindly supplied by
the project collaborators.
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