Attention all artists! Calling all creatives! There's a new Hub on the block...
The city of Hull has been given a bad name, in my opinion, and has some underserving nasty connotations. But after earning the title of City of Culture 2017, our city was on the mend, and on its way to becoming a booming and quite gorgeous place to live.
Brand-spanking new bars, cafes and monuments. New vintage; new high-street. New galleries; new art. But (big but) no new places for aspiring artists to create. No designated place, no facilities to allow young businesses to grow.
Enter: Hub A. Location:
(Big red door next to the Post Office - can't miss it).
Hub A is something new too, however has been in the works since waaaaaay before we were awarded with City of Culture. It's a place for amateur artists, starting businesses, budding graphic designers, growing communities. Anyone, of any age, of any interest is welcome to practise, improve and develop their skills. We need a place for artists to prosper, and Hub A's doors are wide open.
What makes the project really quite special is that it's run as 'non-profit'; all of the money taken in is spent on new equipment and new developments. In other words, it's a community, rather than a business.
A spokesperson for the project said: Hub A is full of people helping each other out.
"You don't get creative block in a place like this."
Over the past few months since its opening, the Hub has been home to plenty of events, including frequent feminist book club meetings (@radbookclub) and a Donald Trump life drawing session. As mentally-scarring as that might sound, classes and communities like these show how fun and different the project is, and that there is no limit on how wacky and weird you can be. Hub A is a place to explore your own interests and develop them further, with the helping hand of top standard equipment and the support of other artists in your shoes.
[LEFT: examples from life drawing sessions held at the Hub]
And, what makes it even better is that it is totally affordable! For just £50 a month, artists have access to their own desk in a shared art space and all the facilities in the building. If you're needing a little more room, e.g. for new businesses, community meetings, you can rent a full office for £150, still with full access to all the facilities at the Hub.
'FACILITIES! WHAT FACILITIES?' I hear you say. Take your pick from: - a screen and digital printing room (3D printer coming soon!)
- a library with a variety of different creative books (new books provided every month by SoBananaPenguin)
- a kitchen (because everyone needs a tea break)
- workshop rooms (for people to host classes and tutorials etc.)
[RIGHT: 'Trashland studio' - an example of a desk in a shared art space]
"The benefit of Hub A is that we provide materials and resources for artists, rather than just office spaces." said Hub A founder.
It's no hidden secret that there's a lack of resources for amateur creatives in Hull, but this project might just be the 'kick up the arse' we needed. Perhaps this will inspire new similar projects? And with artists supporting artists, we will soon catch up to the art scenes of bigger cities; no longer trailing behind but standing in the lead.
However, due to the its almost charitable nature, Hub A can't continue without inhabitants! If you're interested in having a look around, fundraising information or would like to become apart of the Hub A community, FOLLOW THIS LINK or contact the Hub directly here.
