ArtHouse Jersey looks to the future, moves to historic new home
It was built in the early 19th century to keep Napoleon’s forces out, but from the 23rd August the Greve de Lecq Barracks will be the base of a very different type of operation: making art!The iconic site will be used as our base of operations, supporting local artists, bringing international artists to the Island, and developing new projects and pieces of work.We see the site becoming an international centre for ‘art-making’ and an inspirational home for the local arts community, attracting artists and visitors from around the world and acting as a springboard for Jersey talent. From our new base, we will continue to support local artists, helping develop their careers, and promoting their work to Jersey and international audiences.International art collective Forest Fringe will be the first Company in Residence. The group will spend one month in the Island, based at the Barracks, where they will make a full-length feature film, involving a number of creative Islanders who have volunteered to take part in the process.
The iconic site has been restored in partnership with National Trust for Jersey
As an organisation we are behind some of the Island’s biggest community art projects including the Paper Talks exhibition and recently launched Skipton School Mural Project. Our relocation to such a unique location will enable them to continue to develop exciting new projects and offer a platform from which we can have an even greater impact on Islanders’ lives through community engagement targeting Jersey’s most deserving and in need.But producing events is only one aspect of what we do. We also work behind the scenes to support local artists through their seed funding programme. Most notably our funding has contributed to the careers of celebrated artists such as Michael Pearce, BAFTA winning director and writer of ‘Beast’, Emma Reid, model designer for ‘Disney’ and Jonny Labey, an actor and dancer who has enjoyed success on TV and as a West End performer. By moving to the Barracks we hope to develop our support of local artists not only through funding but by creating a space for artists to be supported in the creation of new work.
Interior of one of The Barracks apartments which will be used by visiting artists and also available to holiday-makers at other times (Illustration by Flo Crocroft)
Tom Dingle, Director of ArtHouse Jersey said:“The Barracks is an iconic site in a stunning part of our Island. We are delighted to be moving there and building our new home into an artistic hub that represents the aspirations of our organisation and also fits the needs of the artists we work with and support.The close knit community feel and incredibly beautiful scenery of Greve de Lecq amplify the very best qualities of our Island and as ArtHouse Jersey aims to grow into an internationally recognised arts organisation there is no better location to be based - the Barracks represents the very best of what Jersey has to offer.We are particularly looking forward to growing our partnership with the National Trust for Jersey, whose expertise in stewardship and focus on the natural environment is both inspiring and vital for all of our futures. It provides rich territory for artistic exploration.Our role of supporting local artists has always been at the heart of our work and during this time of growth for our organisation we are calling for local, professional artists to apply for our seed- funding programme which provides local artists with vital funding to help them build their careers and create new work. We are calling for applications now as it is our hope that as our organisation grows through this move to the Barracks that the local artists we work with will also thrive.We’ve got exciting plans for the future and can’t wait to get to work.”