initiative
After reviewing the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on businesses’ abilities to work with creative professionals, we identified that we needed a more viable way to exhibit and promote the arts locally. By creating an extension of our exhibition space that is public-facing and accessible to the local community and visitors we hope to contribute to Margate’s growing tourism industry and give a platform for local creatives to be seen and celebrated.
The Margate School has put up 7 public-facing art boards along New Street, showcasing creatives who have a connection to the School, as well as advertising businesses on New Street. This project was brought to life with the help of the Revi-VE grant fund offered to small businesses in the South East to help operate within the visitor economy and having been affected by COVID-19.
You can find the art boards on New Street — adjacent to The Margate School — alongside two murals painted by studio resident, Dream Safari, and local artist Catherine Chinatree.
Previously selected artwork for the boards was chosen following a call out to designers and artists responding to the title “Design, Society, Nature” — as a way of celebrating the launch of our one-year Visual Communication postgraduate course. Artwork included submissions from our Visual Communication tutors, Philip Gomm, Graham Wood, and visiting guest lecturer, June Mineyama-Smithson.
In addition to supporting local creatives, we have provided a directory of the local businesses on New Street with the aim of attracting additional footfall and supporting our local community.
We hope to adapt the use of these boards to promote the work of future events, other artists and designers, and bring forward the work that happens within The Margate School out into the public realm.
