‘Between us we probably know everything’ - Charlotte
So of course making a house of cooperation makes absolute and total sense, why would we possibly do anything else.
Since re-locating to Northumberland Street in April last year we’ve enjoyed our new studios being at full capacity and our spaces supporting a vast array of community creativity still with loads of scope for more. The house is supporting a range of artists, and practices, clubs and co-work opportunities, with the birth and continuation of art projects and community projects. It’s been a wonderful year and these foundations will hold us strong moving forwards.
‘I wouldn’t be here [living in Morecambe] if you guys weren’t here doing this (whatever that is) - James
Whilst if you ask most of us, we wouldn’t have the audacity to get up and try. On our own anyway.
This space here means we can work alongside each other with our independence intact, but can connect and come together when we need to too. It has supported many of us in being more productive, focused and also for many in feeling better supported as a result of forging ideas and exploring skills and knowledge with others in the collective. It’s great to have so many creative and community minded people under one roof. It means that making things happen and sometimes solving problems can be both much more likely and efficient. That said, being here has in some ways felt more cut off from aspects of the community around us than we’ve been used to or would like.
It can be daunting to try to change something outside of yourself - something that impacts how people experience your little part of the world. Sadly, often there’s people telling us why we can’t or shouldn’t even try, or local bureaucracy putting extra hurdles in our way. GTC looks to make sure there’s always someone in your corner when you’re trying to make a good thing happen! That should be the norm, and maybe, if we keep walking this path, one day, it will be.
If you feel so inclined, now is a good time to channel your inner ‘musketeer’. Or Dogtanion. Whichever you most align with…
Our venue lends itself to studio practice and small intimate groups but not really to larger community activities or events. With support from Arts Council England (thanks folks by the way) - we will be working hard to grow this ‘House of Cooperation’ beyond our studio holders, beyond the membership of the Collective and beyond the boundaries of Morecambe. Working with our artists we will improve and activate the space we have available, in full collaboration with our community. Making it more welcoming, more useful and more accessible and much more the community-led creative hub that Morecambe craves.
We’ve spent a lot of time learning about the Co-op movement, supporting exciting grassroot collaborations and cooperative approaches to creative work. We firmly believe cooperating is at the heart of everything we have achieved and can further accomplish, and having a physical space that values that, makes it more likely to happen. Whatever we achieve here, we’re doing it together and this makes the journey one well worth going on.
As we do this, we’ll be delivering a programme of support and learning for collective members through our GTC artist gatherings, including some exciting guests with their own practices from around the UK & beyond. We’ll be hosting quarterly community open weekends, and inviting those that are interested to come and get involved in the creative journey, as ever meeting new people and learning new skills along the way.
If you’re interested in becoming part of the Good Things Collective and bringing or expanding your skills, knowledge and creativity to help make sure more Good Things happen in Morecambe then here’s a link to our membership form. We’ll be running our next induction session on Wednesday 12th March @ 6pm.
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