MOON News
Trustee appointment for Spike Island
Written By Vanessa Moon - 28th April 2010
Vanessa Moon was recently appointed to be one of the Trustees of Spike Island in Bristol. Spike Island is a unique place for the production and exhibition of contemporary art and design. Vanessa said ‘I am delighted to be working with such a vibrant and unique organization such as Spike Island and am finding the role to be hugely rewarding – I have already attended a number of their exhibitions including The Open Studios. I take my trustee responsibilities of a duty of care and prudence very seriously and am working closely with the senior management team to ensure Spike Island has strong visibility both in the corporate world and local community’. She joins an existing group of Chair and Trustees to sit on the governing body of Spike Island and together they share the responsibility for the general control and management of the administration of the organisation. For Further details about Spike Island go to www.spikeisland.org.uk and about being a trustee go to http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/publications/cc3.aspx Background Information Spike Island has been established as an excellent working environment primarily for artists and those developing a path within the contemporary visual arts. Originally emerging from independent and artist led culture, related concerns remain close to the organisation’s values and priorities. Within the 80,000 square foot building, Spike Island provides exhibition and subsidised studio space to artists as well as various resources and office space for more commercial creative industries. Situated on the southern end of Bristol’s historic docks, Spike Island has, over a ten year period, renovated the flagship Brooke Bond tea packing factory. Built in 1960, the factory was in operation for a short period before closure. Empty for some time, it was not until 1995 that the organisation was able to agree a peppercorn lease with Bristol City Council. The view south, from the reception of the building, is across the tributary of the Avon known as the New Cut in to South Bristol. The wonderful public galleries are situated right at the heart of the building, free to all visitors, they have been described by Richard Cork in an article for the Financial Times, as amongst the best gallery spaces in the country. This excellent arts building provides audiences with a range of opportunities to engage with and experience the work of artists, often commissioned specifically by Spike Island. The fast growing Spike in the City programme enables Spike Island to develop new communities of interest across the city, engaging artists in developing new approaches and working collaborations as part of their practice. In addition to the provision for contemporary art, Spike Island also offers workspace for more commercial creative businesses. The initiative, Spike Design, is an important new model for the support of early stage creative business, now accommodating a number of small businesses. Spike Design has brought an energetic community to work from the building. This, combined with UWE’s (University of the West of England) Fine Art undergraduate course, contributes greatly to the dynamic and busy working environment.