We’re excited to announce that our new Mobile Studio is here!
The Hastings Contemporary Mobile Studio is a new creative resource for the town, designed to be a welcoming space where everyone can play, learn, and grow through art.
Over the past six months, while the studio was under construction, we invited families, schools, artists and local people to share their ideas on how the space could be used.
Now complete, the Mobile Studio has taken up its temporary home on the Stade Open Space. We are busy developing a new programme of events and activities – from skill-sharing workshops to artist residencies – which will start in the autumn.
In the meantime, look out for pop-up events in the studio this summer. We’ll also continue collecting your ideas on what you want to see in the space, helping shape its future. Read on for more information.
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 co-designed by artist Kieren Reed and Studio Hardie. It is funded by Projects and Partnerships Funding from the UK Government.
Share your ideas
As we bring this vision to life, we’d love to hear from you. 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. Email us at events@hastingscontemporary.org.