A new trust to keep Margate creative
Margate is home to a burgeoning creative community and has been identified as a key production hub within the Thames Estuary Production Corridor.
Whilst creative businesses have grown by 158% since 2009, Margate has lost 11% of its commercial spaces in the last 20 years. When coupled with rising rents for the remaining eligible spaces and a lack of appropriate venues for the variety of artistic pursuits, there is a vital and urgent need to provide space to creative practitioners in order to protect and grow the creative industries in Margate.
Taking inspiration from the model developed in London for a Creative Land Trust to protect creative space in central London when property values are rising, the role of the Trust in Margate is ensuring that creative space and programming is inclusive and supports underserved communities to access opportunities within the creative industries of leadership, jobs, training and enterprise development.
Our Vision
A thriving, resilient and innovative creative sector that provides inclusive enterprise, employment, and learning opportunities for people living and working in Margate and the surrounding areas.
The story so far...
The project was co-created by the community and local creative practitioners, and the organisation has been established as an independent charity by Thanet District Council on behalf of the Margate Town Deal Board, working with WorkWild, PRD and a group of independent land trust and creative industry specialists.
£6 million of funding has been secured from Central Government through the Margate Town Deal to set up the operation of the organisation; purchase physical space in Margate and provide affordable rents; and deliver community programmes to support inclusive and sustainable practice in the creative industries.
We are currently in the process of recruiting independent Trustees for the charity. The deadline for applications has passed and we will be announcing the successful candidates shortly.
Our Mission
To establish a variety of accessible and inspiring creative spaces that provides benefit to the community, creative sector, and local economy in perpetuity.
