Art: Creative Quarter loan helps Gallery move premises

INDEPENDENT commercial art gallery, Syson, has moved to new premises in Nottingham’s Lace Market thanks to a £25,000 Creative Quarter loan, delivered by First Enterprise and Nottingham City Council.

Established in 2013 by independent curator Jennie Syson, the gallery is Nottingham’s newest commercial contemporary art gallery providing a much needed platform for collectors and artists to connect.

Nottingham-born Jennie said: “There is a fantastic artistic community in Nottingham, which is always growing. It is really important to support the artistic economy in Nottingham to help support all the work that is going on and to make sure that we can sustain the creative momentum in the city.

“Syson is a gallery that welcomes individual investors and collectors as well as businesses and organisations. We work with local businesses to help them find the right pieces for them to invest in. Syson is really committed to helping collectors find the right piece, supporting artists and bridging the gap between the two.”

Jennie applied for loan funding through First Enterprise’s and Nottingham City Council’s Creative Quarter Loan Fund to make her venture a success.

The gallery moved to its Weekday Cross location in March this year and now houses a new gallery space, shop and studios after being granted the £25,000 loan.

Jennie added: “Our previous premises were kindly let to us by Antenna but in the past year it was becoming clear that we needed space that was fit for purpose with a tailored gallery space.

“The move wouldn’t have been possible without the support we received from First Enterprise and Nottingham City Council, and in particular Councillor Nick McDonald. Although we had been granted funding from the Arts Council it was all tied up in our programme so we needed some extra funds to get established in our new space.”

The Creative Quarter Loan Fund is a partnership between Nottingham City Council and First Enterprise and is open to both new and existing businesses. The fund has been running since April 2013 and has, so far, helped 39 businesses lending a total of £973,500.

Victoria Copestake, loan fund manager at First Enterprise, said: “We were really excited when Jennie came to us with her business plan. She is very passionate about what she does and extremely knowledgeable in her field.

“There isn’t anything quite like the Syson gallery in Nottingham and we’re really proud to support Jennie to achieve her dream.”

Throughout the next year the gallery will present a series of ambitious projects with represented artists and international guests and also host a comprehensive gallery exhibition programme. This includes solo exhibitions by S Mark Gubb and Tom Pitt; a comprehensive painting survey exhibition curated by John Moores Painting Prize judge, Richard Davey and the gallery will also show work at START Art Fair at Saatchi Gallery in London and The Manchester Contemporary at Granada Studios.

 

Councillor Nick McDonald, portfolio holder for jobs, growth and transport at Nottingham City Council, added: “We were delighted to be able to support Jennie with her plans to set-up a permanent venue at Weekday Cross. The gallery space is very impressive and further enhances Nottingham’s reputation as a centre for contemporary art. I would encourage everyone to visit Syson Gallery if they have the opportunity to do so as the venue also hosts a shop and studios.”

To apply for Creative Quarter Loan Funding, businesses need to be already based in or relocating to the Creative Quarter area of Nottingham.

As well as providing loan funding First Enterprise also offers free and impartial business advice. For more details visit www.first-enterprise.co.uk or call 0115 942 3772.