Spacex Kickstarter goes live
Spacex, Exeter’s acclaimed contemporary visual art organisation, is at a challenging yet exciting point in its forty year history.
After temporary closure in response to funding cuts, the organisation has transformed the way it works.
In place of being a gallery with a rolling programme of exhibitions Spacex now produces projects in collaboration with a wide range of partners.
All staff agree "we want to continue to work with artists at an early stage of their career, with a focus on commissions. We have always supported the production of new work and this remains at the core of what Spacex does. We now need support from the public in order to continue this work."
Spacex launched its Kickstarter, an online fundraising campaign, on the 21 May. Through the campaign they hope to raise £10,000 towards two artist residencies and a series of public events in Exeter. It has already achieved 50% of its funding but with only 17 days to go they will need one last big push to secure its future.
The Kickstarter encourages backers to pledge a donation and in doing so obtain rewards that have been produced as part of projects and by artists that have worked with Spacex. There are also a variety of gifts from the Spacex archive to choose from, including rare posters from the last forty years.
Pledges of any amount will be welcomed and backers will have the opportunity to get hold of an exciting range of rewards including rare archival material such as catalogues and posters.
Also available are limited edition prints by artists Salvatore Arancio, Lady Lucy and Laura Kikauka as well as unique works including an original photographic print by Jem Southam, graphite drawings by Dawn Mellor and Laura White; a limited edition tin sculpture by Simon Pope that was produced during a residency in 2014 and work by Peter J. Evans, Scott King and Tim Ellis.
If this Kickstarter campaign is successful it will cover the cost of two six-week residencies and a series of integrated public events including studio visits and an associated learning programme, all to take place in 2015-16. The residencies will enable the artists to develop their practice in a supportive and critically engaged environment.
Spacex remain confident that with this Kickstarter, the organisation will provide two amazing opportunities for artists and will fuel the appetite for access to contemporary art practice in Exeter.
Supporting partners, including the University of Exeter, Exeter College and Exeter Phoenix, are committed to working with Spacex to ensure the smooth delivery of these residencies. To find out more and to stay informed about Spacex please visit: www.spacex.org.uk and you can share your support and comments on the website.
