Local gallery Studio KIND will soon be relocating to the newly refurbished Barnstaple Pannier Market in an exciting initiative to bring cultural opportunities to the people of North Devon.
Following a public exercise run by North Devon Council's Property team, which asked organisations if they required space in the town centre, Heads of Terms have been agreed with artist-led Studio KIND. In one of the first projects to be supported by the Cultural Development Fund (CDF), the gallery will take up a new position in the market's Corn Store in January 2024. The arrangement is initially for a temporary period of 18 months, after which it will be reviewed.
The Corn Store was recently refurbished into an attractive public space during a full refurbishment of the Pannier Market. This happened as part of the North Devon Council's mission to create a Market Quarter in the town centre. The £11m transformation initiative has been made possible thanks to funding from the Government's Future High Streets Fund, with match funding provided by the council.
Head of Economic Development and Regeneration at North Devon Council, Councillor Malcolm Prowse says: "We are thrilled to be welcoming Studio KIND to the beautiful, historic and newly refurbished Pannier Market. The Corn Store is now a wonderful, light space and will lend itself well to being used as a gallery and base for a diverse programme of exhibitions and events. This is just the start of our mission to bring a richer cultural programme into Barnstaple, through the CDF, the Barnstaple Cultural Plan and the wider Northern Devon Culture Strategy, alongside the enormous improvements being made thanks to the Market Quarter project. All in all, this is a really exciting time for businesses, residents and visitors to the town."
Founding Director of Studio KIND, Laura Porter says: "Studio KIND is thrilled and grateful to have the opportunity to inhabit the newly renovated Corn Store. We are so excited about the future of arts and culture in North Devon, and the new space and location will really help us to amp up our ambitions and make sure we’re offering a diverse and exciting programme. We’re very much looking forward to working alongside the community here in Barnstaple, and we like to make sure we offer something for everyone, no matter background, age, or experience. Massive thanks to the council for making this happen - we can’t wait to get started in our new home!"
Studio KIND presents the work of both local and national, early-career and established artists through an ambitious and diverse programme of exhibitions and events. The gallery will be open Wednesday to Saturday but there will be activities happening in the Corn Store seven days a week. The council says that having Studio KIND based in the Pannier Market and running regular events not only brings a whole new audience to the market, but also marks the start of its commitment to bring more activities to the town centre through its culture strategy, cultural plan and the CDF.
Supported using public funding by Arts Council England. The Market Quarter project is partially funded by UK Government and Levelling Up.