Void Art Centre

Public benefits

Purpose - To enhance and develop visual art in N.Ireland locally,nationally and internationally through exhibitions and related educational programmes. Benefit – Void bring the best of renowned contemporary international artists to Derry and Ireland providing free admission for all to our exhibitions and related events. This allows the people of

N.Ireland to experience the best of contemporary art at their doorstep. The quality of the work on show is at a par with much larger institutions in capital cities. Void’s community gallery provides a space in the city for emerging artists and community organizations to showcase their work in a proper gallery setting. The benefits can be demonstrated through our visitor numbers and visitor comments which are recorded on a daily basis. Purpose - To make contemporary art more accessible to all through a wide range of free educational and outreach programmes. Benefit – Void provide a free exhibition programme and in depth related access and participation programme for groups and individuals who wouldn’t normally have access to visual arts activities and galleries. Some examples of groups that Void work with are NICEM, Foyleview School, Youthlife, Early Years, Sure Start, U3A. Void deliver a quality access programme through a range of skilled facilitators. Void Art School provides free tutoring and support every year for 12 disadvantaged cross community students who wish to study art at third level. Void Art School assists students with their application and interview process. The benefits of the Access and Participation programme can be demonstrated through participant and audience feedback in through written evaluations and the Access and Participation ‘Comments wall’ that is used for every workshop. The benefits of the Art School can be demonstrated in how many students continue on to third level education. Purpose - To support artists at every stage of their career and to create programmes and provide facilities that encourage people to pursue art as a career choice. Benefits - Void Studio Programme provides local artists with a subsidised studio space in the city centre of Derry. The studios are leased out at a nominal rate while artists also have access to the studio gallery space to showcase their work free of charge. The programme creates a synergized space for artists to creatively flourish within a nurturing backdrop. Void Art School provides an open studio space free of charge to young disadvantaged students who wish to study art at 3rd level. The Art school provides a nurturing environment where students are tutored on a one to one basis and prepared for entrance into 3rd level education.The Art School and the Studio Programme provide a supportive base for young artists to commence their artistic careers. The benefits can be demonstrated through successful entrance rates into Art Colleges and Universities by Void Art School students, the number of exhibitions and sales that the studio artists have and evaluation and monitoring forms which record feedback from students.

What your organisation does

Void is a contemporary art space housing two gallery spaces, six artists studios, an art school, a community gallery and a studio gallery. Void has 6 exhibitions per year showing the work of established international and Irish artists. The exhibition programme, is accompanied by, an extensive access and participation programme.