To work with local artists developing a regular event showcasing local art and artists.

Project Overview

The idea of an open studios event is to allow people to visit artists in their work spaces across a given area during a fixed period. Swindon has often had such events but they are dependent on the dedication of a few individuals who often move on or pull out for their own reasons.

Forward Swindon became involved in the event to gain more in-depth knowledge of the local arts ‘scene’ and to try to help to promote and raise the profile of local art. Over three years a number of local volunteers (including Linda Kasmaty, Bea Menier, Benoit Philippe, Jane Ballard, Max Hale and Vanetta Joffe) have taken the event on board and grown it from strength to strength.

As part of its micro-site web development Forward Swindon is now exploring the potential for a permanent website dedicated to the work of Swindon artists and promoting the Open Studios event. It is hoped that such a site, working closely with SBC’s Swindon Does Arts project, could be a showcase not only for the artists, but also the public art that the town owns, as well some elements of the valuable Swindon Collections in the borough’s museum/gallery.

Swindon Magnets

This project is one of our Swindon ‘Magnets’, being developed in support of One Swindon’s aim to establish a solid events programme for the Borough. The idea is to develop a number of cultural projects with a view to them becoming, over time, iconic elements of the Swindon calendar in the same way as the Festival of Literature, The Mela and the Half-Marathon have become.

Our Swindon Magnets are founded in the passions of local people and centre around a policy to give local people the professional support they need in order to create and develop self-sustaining cultural projects. The support that Forward Swindon brings to the projects (in different quantities depending on the project)  includes advice and help with organisation, working with the Council, marketing, PR, print and publicity, advertising, sponsorship, volunteer assistance, grant applications, partnership building and professional project management.

Other Swindon Magnets with Forward Swindon involvement:

Swindon Film Festival

St. George’s Day