The Makers & Artists Collective is a pressure group formed from several Norwich based arts groups and societies with the common goal of creating a permanent gallery where artists & makers could show and sell their work affordably in Norwich City centre.

 

Initially considering other options, our group aimed to seek out a suitable venue from the existing City stock of retail or Council owned buildings that could be easily be rented and modified to form an exhibition space for our purpose.

 

MAC seeks to obtain funding and sponsorship to cover part of the running costs, making the project  sustainable over many years. The gallery’s hire fees could then be used to top up the deficit.

 

The group feels the promotion of the arts in Norwich, by the Council and other commercially run institutions that might be expected to promote the arts, is sadly lacking.

 

The creation of an independent, permanent and affordable city centre art gallery (or negotiating affordable rates of hire for existing venues) would begin to re-establish the importance of the arts in Norwich.

 

Our agreement with the Norwich Historic Churches Trust to occupy St Margaret's Church is one way we can achieve our aims. 

 

This is only the beginning - and at the moment we have no sponsorship. If we can succeed in making this work for the 7 months we have taken St Margaret's we will endeavour to make this a permanent arrangement.