about
Creative Exchange is not just a name, it is at the core of all our activities…
Background
To give you some background... Creative Exchange was formed in 1996 when a group of artists based in an around East Belfast identified a need for the promotion of visual art and the exchange of creative ideas. The group was driven, in general by frustration at the lack of quality contemporary art activity in the area, and in particular by the fact that there was no artist studio provision available in East Belfast. There was a common desire to start a creative generator that might support and encourage such activity.
In 1997 the group acquired space in the Linenhall Works premises, formerly the MSO printworks. Arrangements were ‘ad-hoc’, but we negotiated a favourable rent for use of the top floor of the old Loopbridge Mill building. Conditions were ‘primitive’, but around a dozen of the artists took up the offer of studio space.
At this early stage of Creative Exchange’s development, the group had a much larger membership, which grew to around 70 artists. During the first 8 months the artists from the collective organised 6 shows, including ‘The Space’ May ‘97 and ‘Walk Don’t Run’ Nov ’97 which used the full top floor. For the first 3 years the associate members participated in group shows and attended meetings, however, the bulk of the work and organisation fell to the studio artists and a decision was made to dissolve the associate membership.
Early Days
Since then Creative Exchange has provided studio facilities for around 12 contemporary visual artists, including painters, printmakers, sculptors, fibre, installation, digital media, video and performance artists. The studio provides a space in which artists are able to produce work and promote ideas much more than they could otherwise do if they were working individually.
Much of our success as an organisation is due to the strong interpersonal relationships built up between members and the relaxed ethos, which encourages co-operation and collaboration. This strong group dynamic has enabled Creative Exchange to develop a series of innovative partnerships with other artists and organisations leading to high profile internationally acclaimed art exchanges.
Exchanges and Projects
The Grasses Project is an international artist led exchange programme through which over 140 Irish and American artists have engaged, resulting in more than 30 exhibitions and 5 collaborative projects. Over the last 10 years there have been many spin-offs from these exchanges and as the group’s profile has grown, members have exhibited throughout Ireland, UK, Europe, America and Australasia.
Exhibitions organised by Creative Exchange in recent years that have attracted wide critical acclaim have included: East Goes West; Connections; Links That Connect Us; Here & Now; The Other Place; At Your Own Risk; Berlin7; TransART; and most recently MILL the creative exchange.
Programmes
We are currently engaged in a large community project with the Greater Shankill Partnership. We are delivering workshops throughout the Shankill area and are creating 3 new artworks for the ‘Peace Wall’ at Cupars Walk. This is a Peace III funded programme and will provide new skills to the participants involved as well as forming part of a large-scale outdoor exhibition that will attract tourists to this area of the city.