We’re excited to share the development of the Hastings Contemporary Mobile Studio – a new creative resource for the town, designed to give everyone the chance to play, learn and grow through art.
To mark the next stage of the project, a model of the Mobile Studio, and a selection of the materials used in its construction, will be on display at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery for the next three weeks, before moving around town.
As part of this display, we’re inviting your ideas. What would you like to do or experience in the Mobile Studio? Below, we share more about the vision, purpose and people behind this project, and how you can get involved.
What is the Hastings Contemporary Mobile Studio?
The Hastings Contemporary Mobile Studio is a new creative initiative for the town. Led by Hastings Contemporary in partnership with local cultural organisations, the project has been developed to help remove barriers that can prevent people from participating in art, creativity, and creative education. The project aims to ensure that every person, regardless of background or circumstance, can access meaningful, high-quality arts engagement.
What is the Mobile Studio aiming to do?
Through a programme of workshops and events the Mobile Studio will support people to produce original creative work, develop their ability to express ideas, and have new experiences through art and creative making. The space will help individuals and different groups in Hastings to become confident in a range of techniques including drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media and storytelling.
It represents not only a physical resource, but also a commitment to equity in creative education, community pride, and cultural collaboration across the town.
What will the space be like?
The Mobile Studio has been designed to be flexible, fun and inspiring space that reflects the character of Hastings. It is on wheels, so it will be able to travel around the town. It has a fold-down stage and is wheelchair accessible via a lift. Inside, it has a sink and there is room for eight people.
How will it support schools and young people?
There is growing recognition of the pressures on schools to deliver a rich and balanced curriculum, especially in creative subjects. The Mobile Studio responds to this challenge by providing a fully equipped, mobile creative space that can visit schools and community venues across Hastings. Designed to enhance and complement classroom learning, it will offer workshops and sessions that align with the national curriculum while also giving young people and their teachers the chance to experiment with new materials, techniques, and ideas.
Who has developed the Mobile Studio?
The project is being led by Hastings Contemporary. It has been designed by lead artist Kieren Reed, with fabrication by Studio Hardie. It is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
What is happening now?
As we bring this vision to life, we’d love to hear from you. A model of the Mobile Studio and the materials used in its construction are on display at the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery.
We are inviting visitors to tell us: What’s one thing you’d love to see happen in the Mobile Studio?
Would you like to try a new art technique, bring your children to a creative workshop, or attend a performance? Whatever your idea, we want to hear it.
Write it on a comment card and post it through the slot in the vitrine, or email us at events@hastingscontemporary.org.