Art / fundraising
‘We are the village arts preservation society’
YardArts is a creative organisation based in Bristol that is planning to open an arts village in Shirehampton. The organisation are aiming to raise £30,000, which will go towards building a cafe, 15 workshop spaces and a tented theatre, as well as living quarters for artists and the YardArts team.
The team say that if they are able to sign a five-to-ten-year lease, they won’t need to rely on funding, and will be able to continue to provide an oasis for the arts in Bristol.
Christo Machon, the founder and creative director of YardArts, says he was inspired to set up the organisation after retiring from touring in the circus. Living in a van, Christo says he was amazed to find that he was “applauded on stage but hounded and hated off-stage”, simply for his living choices.
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“As well as helping artists and performers, I want to reduce the stigma surrounding those who live in mobile homes,” he continues.
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YardArts has worked with a variety of different groups – from troubled teenagers to Alzheimer’s sufferers – through effective outreach programs. These are designed to help expose groups to the creative arts, who might not otherwise have the chance to get involved in things like circus and theatre. Alongside the creation of the proposed village will be the provision of workshops for more local schools, youth centres and community groups.
Liz Atherton, Christo’s second-in-command, says: “The hope is that the village will provide a sustainable place for the arts. There is limited access to the arts for the people of Shirehampton, and we aim to fill that gap.
“I can’t stress enough how important it is to provide equal opportunities for people who want to get involved in the arts. We are the village arts preservation society!”
With arts centres in Bristol and beyond under threat and closing at an alarming rate, YardArts intends to fulfil their ethos of housing creativity with this new plan for a permanent base. Councillor for Lockleaze, Estella Tincknell, called the organisation “a cultural necessity that needs to be protected” after seeing one of their shows.
To donate to the cause, go to www.crowdfunder.co.uk/yardarts-village
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