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Project information
Community Art House
The Art House is a place where the community can engage with high qualitly art and culture, a space which belongs to the community. The project has its roots in the concept of self esteem and personal aspiration being of critical importance as a determinant of educaitonal and life success.
April 2011 - March 2013
Charity information: The Customs House Trust Ltd

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Need
Need
South Tyneside has suffered decline in major local industries, in recent y ears there has been some success in attracting jobs, however, we are still left with a legacy of exomonic inactivity and severe social consequences, particularly for our children and young people in communities that are now experienceing third generation unemployment. Half of South Tynesides super output areas are in the top 10 - 20% most deprived in England.
Solution
The project intends to provide the framework for family/community empowerment and personal responsibility. Through the establishment of an Arts House we aim to deliver projects that seek to:
raise self esteem and aspirations throughout the neighbourhood
reduce Anti-social behaviour and the fear of it
build emotional resilience
highlight health issues including obesity and smoking
offer transferable life skills experience via creative/cultural art activity
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Aims
Aim 1
3 month of initial taster activity will be delivered to recruit membership of the art house
Activities
» an arts and craft programme and a photography project with the best work being displayed in The Customs House Shop
What success will look like
Success will be... by the number of people who engage in the initial programme
Aim 2
participants to form activity groups to work in partnerhsip with steakholders to design projects
Activities
» A programme of projects to be specifically delivered to areas of the community i.e. schools, children's centres, elderly
What success will look like
Success will be... where active involvement by families, children and the community is shaping the art house programmes and projects
Aim 3
a volunteer programme to be developed and implimented
Activities
» Community Organiser training will be offered to those participating in art house activities who wish to become more involved
» We will offer Arts Award - bronze, silver and gold
» we will support volunteer training and development programmes
What success will look like
Success will be... when volunteer programmes are in place and working well
Young people are participating in Arts Award National Accreditation programme
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Impact
Impact
There is a broad based community participation in activities and opportunities
A positive impact on NI targets can be measured, including significant reduction in anti-social behaviour and the fear of such behaviour reduced in the community
To constitute the art house as an independent organisation
social enterprise developments are being explored
The art house concept and model is rolled out to other priority areas with high levels of disadvantage and deprivationRisk
1, Availability of space
2, Engagement by the Community
3, Buy in from Key Steakholders
We have dealt with these risks by:
1, We have strong links with South Tyneside Homes who are actively supporting the project and see the full impact of the benefits
2, We have vast experience of delivering projects within the community
3, We have built strong links with key steakholders who have seen the difference engaging in creative activities has within the communityReporting
Funders to this project will receive a bi-monthly newsletter detailing the progress of the art house, its activities,outcomes and any necessary changes.
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Budget
Budget - Project Cost: £249,000
Loading graph....Amount Heading Description £71,500 Salaries Salaries and Admin costs for 2 years £100,000 Delivery Project expenditure 2 years £30,000 Utilities Running costs of the house £20,000 Development Costs start up costs £15,000 Evaluation Ongoing evaluation costs £12,500 Travel Travel and Transport for projects -
Background
Location
Laygate area in South Shields is the initial area for development of the Art House.
Laygate area is in the top 2% most deprived areas of England, it has highest child poverty (64.3%) and older people in poverty (45%), high levels of unemployment (13%) and 32% of the population have health related problems. Laygate is also the most culturally diverse area 14% BME (figures taken form the index of multiple deprevation)Beneficiaries
Laygate has a population of c1200 people split into 618 households covering all age ranges.
As listed above the area suffers from deprevation, siting the art house in the area will not only support community regeneration but also deliver a range of qualitative outcomes to include:
signposting some participants towards formal qualifications or training partners and monitor the number of young people who take up apprenticeships in the cultural sector -
Why Us?
Why Us?
The Customs house has considerable experience and knowledge of working in partnership and the value of delivering creative/cultural activity within the community. We have delivered Creative Partnerships (since 2004), The cultural offer pathfinder Find Your Talent across North and South Tyneside Councils, we are an Arts Council England RFO and an Arts in Education agency
Read more about the Charity running this project.
People
The Customs House
We will develop the art house in partnerhsip with the community and steakholders, develop a management group who will lead the future of the art house
South Tyneside Homes
They will provide and support the art house space and will take a lead role on the Management Committee
The Rekendyke Community Partnership
The Rekendyke Partnership has been formed to tackle issues including empty properties, anti-social behaviour, unemployment and poor health.