We all need some good news and something positive to look forward to in 2021...
The project will create Ramsgate’s first large multi-faceted arts events & performance space, hosting a year-round diverse offering of arts events including visual arts, exhibitions, comedy, theatre, art installations, acoustic music, cabaret, film screenings, spoken word, poetry, debates, talks & community events. In addition, a wide range of child & adult art courses, classes & workshops will be available throughout the whole year.
The Ramsgate Arts Barge project aims to unite the community of Ramsgate & Thanet through a 'not-for-profit' social enterprise project to repair, renovate and refurbish the 130-year old, 51-metre Dutch barge 'Vriendschap' (Dutch for friendship).
Over 100+ volunteers have registered to date to be a part of this incredible community venture.
The key aims & objectives of the 'Ramsgate Arts Barge' project are to:
- Create New Job Opportunities
- Boost and stimulate the local economy by driving increased footfall & tourism into Ramsgate 12-months per year - to everyones benefit.
- Provide FREE access to the arts for ALL school children across the Thanet District (which ranks as the most deprived local authority in Kent) through a series of programmes, workshops & events.
- Provide ten hours per week FREE community studio hire to all schools, colleges, charities, not-for-profits, performing arts groups & all societies with a social aim & objective operating across Ramsgate, Thanet & Kent.
- Reinvest all Ramsgate Arts Barge profits back into the project & local community initiatives to address local issues & help those in the community who need it most.
The project has already started forming school & educational partnerships across the Thanet District & will continue to do so across all schools in Thanet.
Head of Ramsgate Arts Primary School, Nick Budge said: “This is a fabulously creative project that is set in our town’s internationally-famous harbour, and RAPS is keen to support any idea that expands the creative arts in our community. Our long term vision is to form a learning partnership with the Arts Barge and become an integral part of the proposed educational programme.”
Overview of the 'Ramsgate Arts Barge' project:
- 'Ramsgate Arts Barge Community Interest Company' is a social-enterprise 'not-for-profit' organisation - all profits from this project go back into the project & community initiatives
- In August 2020, RAB CIC took legal ownership of 'Vriendschap'
- 'Vriendschap' is now a community asset to Ramsgate - it is not hired or leased - it is here to stay and protected under a legal 'asset lock' which prevents it ever being sold for private or personal gain. The more successful this project is - the greater the community benefits, which will last for generations.
- The permanent mooring has been approved by Thanet District Council - now we need YOUR help to bring this project to life!
Ramsgate Arts Barge & Community Arts:
- Ramsgate Arts Barge will support, assist & champion local artists, providing a large arts space to enable local artists to showcase their work & celebrate the town being a centre of artistic creativity - as highlighted by the 'Creative Ramsgate' report (Heritage Lab, 2019)
- A number of affordable art studios will be available for hire to local artists for both short & long-term artistic projects.
- A full range of child & adult art courses, classes & workshops will be available on the Ramsgate Arts Barge year-round - encouraging day-trippers, overnight stays & tourism into the area - to the local economies benefit.
- The project will form partnerships with domestic & overseas arts institutions to create ‘artist in residency’ programmes, attracting established international artist’s in their field. The large events space will serve to attract well known artists across the arts – putting Ramsgate on the map as ‘must-visit’ destination for the arts…
- The power of arts in a community should not be under-estimated for it's social & economical benefits. Arts have the power to improve well-being & mental health through inclusive activities that will unite, strengthen & create togetherness throughout the whole community.
We are aiming to raise a total of £97,472 from a Crowdfunding campaign which is now live. ALL money raised will go directly towards the following:
- Essential steel welding repair works, maintenance & protective painting to the barge. Once these major steel repair works have been completed, the barge will only need light maintenance/protective coat painting re-applied every 10 years.
- Royal Institute of British Architecture (RIBA) Feasibility Study (del Renzio & del Renzio - Ramsgate Architects) . This in-depth study/report looks at all practical design considerations, recommendations & suggestions prior to the renovation & refurbishment.
- Barge Hull Survey & Repair Consultancy. Like a car MOT, all boats must be inspected, safe & repair works completed if needed. The full hull inspection (bottom of the boat) has already taken place, identifying all the major essential steel work repairs needed.
- Initial materials for the renovation & refurbishment, protective & safety equipment for volunteers & tool hire. To keep costs down and be as environmentally friendly as possible, we are planning to use as many reclaimed and recycled materials as possible during the renovation & refurbishment.
- Project overheads: Mooring, Marine & Public Liability Insurance & Electricity. If we can hit the Crowdfunder target, this will cover all the project overheads throughout the repair, renovation & refurbishment phases, right up until the September 2021 opening.
This isn't a project about a boat - this is a project about hope and looking forward to the future. We need YOUR support to make this project possible.
Thank you.
Ramsgate Arts Barge CIC (A social enterprise not-for-profit project)
DONATE TODAY @ WWW.CROWDFUNDER.CO.UK/RAMSGATEARTSBARGE