Getting started

I've just been to visit Hayley in the attic. It has made me think about Artlink and all the changes through the past thirty odd years... All that blood sweat and tears that has gone into supporting and sustaining the work that we do for disadvantaged groups. It is quite awe inspiring when you look at it over time. 


I am so proud that we have finally achieved what no man(woman) has done before us, and finally got a fit for purpose building with a lift to all four floors! There were plans and discussions; many of them, from the looks of it, over the years. There are views of the garden as it was in 1990 when they revamped the front and back. We redid it in 2005 when it had become a jungle of bindweed in the back garden. 


When I first came to Artlink there was only Hayley and I. I remember walking into the building for my interview and thinking; 'something needs to be done about this building.' Then followed many years of hard work and sheer determination. Without the support of the many staff here over that time and particularly Hayley, this vision would not have come to fruition.


Firstly, there was the 'Options Appraisal'. For this we applied to Grants for the Arts (good old G4A who we will sadly have to say good-bye to after this year), and the appointment of a consultant. This was all brave new territory for me. We interviewed five and appointed Yvonne Deane who has been our stalwart ever since! This was 2004. After the SWOT  (not a fly killer) we ascertained with the board that although rather mad, the idea of keeping the building and trying to do something was a good one. A bit crazy and with some risks attached. Of course I had the bit between the teeth by then; 'community legacy', 'something for the future' and the dye was cast. Little did I know. The then Chair of the board did say something along the lines of it being a 'huge undertaking', but what you don't know.....


The next stage was applying for yet more funding to commission a feasibility study with a little more help from Grants for the Arts. Yet again we interviewed. This time it was five firms of architects. Groundworks LLP won it hands down with the charm and clarity of one of their lead architects Alison Davis. And so the story began.

Looking Back

I've just spent the last week holed up in Artlink's attic foraging through the vast amount of archive material thats accumulated over the last 30 odd years.  You would not believe how much there is even after our brilliant army of volunteers managed to slim it down prior to our temporary relocation in November last year - but still there's a lot to go through.  I've spent hours sifting through mountains of photographs and flicking through annual and project reports.  I think I'm probably about half way there now.  The purpose for my foraging is not merely for a trip down memory lane, but to produce an archive book covering Artlink's life from its initial set up as Shape Up North in 1979 through to where we are today.  This comes at a time when we're back in our sparkling new building and we're getting used to having a space which feels light, bright and airy.

Often at times like this as we're looking to the future, it also gives us a good opportunity to look back at the past to acknowledge where we've come from.  I'm currently working out that Artlink's origins are from Shape (which was initially established in London), Shape Up North was then established as part of a national network of organisations across the country and then finally Artlink West Yorkshire was created in 1981 (I think, but I'm still trying to work out the timeline!)  Throughout this time there have been many milestones with Artlink which must be remembered and celebrated; such as the original refurbishment, the ticket scheme and the creation of No Limits - then to become Full Body and The Voice.  For the rest you'll have to wait for the book to be finished.

This is a busy time for Artlink as we prepare for the Re-Launch Party in November.  This will celebrate our new building, new website and publicity material, exhibition of artworks throughout the whole building and of course the archive book.

I just want to leave you now with a photo I took this week on a glorious sunny day - knowing it all felt worth it, even though I am holed up in the attic!! Hayley

And now for blogging!

First we conquered Facebook and then we conquered Tweeting and now we're really going for it and have entered the world of blogging.  Through this we'll be keeping you right up to date with news at Artlink and our projects (aiming to make it an integral part of projects as they go along).  So shout it loud and proud that Artlink now has its own official blog, help us spread the word so we can keep connected with you all.  As always, we welcome your feedback and comments so please feel free to leave them - we look forward to blogging away!  Until next time, Hayley