For the first time, visual arts charity The Art House, is partnering with Quayside MediaCity to provide opportunities for artists, collectives and social enterprises within the local community to grow their fledgling business or community initiative within a retail environment.
The project, Salford Loading…, produced by The Art House, together with community partners, will help to facilitate the abundance of talent and creativity within Salford and surrounding areas for both community and commercial use.
The project has been kick started by Nicola Fernandes, who set up pop-up gift shop Flock and Gaggle which showcases local makers and artists and will also work with Quayside and the wider creative community to co-ordinate Salford Loading…
Nicola, who is also plugged into the local creative community through running her store and artist studio in Salford’s Islington Mill, said: “During challenging times, it’s vital creatives and communities still have the opportunity to grow and supporting local has never been more important. By collaborating with Quayside in this way, we want to create a new kind of ecosystem which sees spaces used in a cycle of both local and commercial use, benefiting everyone who takes part.”
Kelly Hurst, Centre Manager for Quayside added: “This is an exciting, new concept for us to adopt which will reinvigorate space within Quayside, support the community but also help in its steady evolution as a town centre provision for those who live and work within MediaCity and The Quays.”
Lucy Norton, Project Coordinator at The Art House said: “The Salford Loading project is dedicated to creating attainable opportunities for creatives and supporting communities and we’re delighted to be working with the Quayside team in making connections across Salford, collaborating with more artists, organisations and charities than ever before.”
The Salford Loading initiative builds on the success of two projects last year which saw the Manchester Fashion Movement deliver its unique concept store celebrating new, sustainable and independent brands with an inclusive space for events as well as Oakwood Academy’s charity store.
The store is entirely run by pupils from the MediaCity based sixth form college which supports pupils with additional needs.
Find out more about The Salford Loading project and spaces available here today.
