We’re delighted to announce that we are one of 20 artist spaces and organisations selected to join East Street Arts’ prestigious GUILD project, a comprehensive programme of research, mentoring, tailored support, and infrastructure and space development, across England.

The pioneering arts development programme, GUILD was created in 2018, by Leeds-based organisation East Street Arts, to explore how towns and cities can develop and support artist’s spaces. GUILD explores the need for spaces that sustain a creative practice, what form the spaces of the future will take, and how artists can work with developers and communities to create sustainable spaces that meet the flexible and fluid requirements of the industry as it evolves and adapts.

After a research visit to some arts organisations in Leeds earlier this year, we were inspired to apply for the programme. We are keen to learn and explore our development as a space and organisation over the course of the programme. The sharing of knowledge and experience amongst artists and arts organisations is hugely important for the sector and this is a wonderful opportunity for us.

Our work with artists and volunteers is the driving force of what we do. We hope to further develop this element of the Rising Sun through devolving control and involving artists and volunteers in decisions and projects in the future.

Karen Watson, Artistic Director at East Street Arts says “We are really looking forward to developing the relationships and getting to know the artists spaces involved within the GUILD programme. We started East Street Arts as two artists over 25 years ago and have learned a lot about the artist-led sector and their value and impact.

GUILD is an opportunity for us to share our knowledge and experience and also for us to continue to learn from and celebrate the huge amount of amazing work artists are doing across the country to build infrastructure and develop public programmes.”

For more info, check out https://eaststreetarts.org.uk/fluxcapacitor/guild-artist-groups-announced/