Changing Spaces is a pioneering initiative developed by Cambridge City Council in partnership with Love Cambridge. The project started in June 2009 and has exhibited over 80 local artists and charity groups in more than 24 different locations since then. Changing Spaces is delivered by professional artists on a voluntary basis.
Are you looking for an opportunity to exhibit your work?
Changing Spaces is a platform for people to become part of Cambridge’s creative movement. Rather than conforming to the predictable confines of a white cube gallery space, the Changing Spaces team endeavour to offer a unique platform for artists to become a part of their city, and in doing so, interrogate the very streets we live in.
The premise is simple enough; there still is a number of vacant retail units appearing within the streets of Cambridge. The economic downturn has had a significant effect on the very infrastructure of the world that we live in and while slim opportunities exist to fix the fundamental flaws, Changing Spaces offers unique solace to the creative arts.
We welcome individual displays as well as group works; everything from installations, set designs, sculpture to photography, illustration and poetry. If you would like a platform to exhibit your work in the heart of Cambridge then please do take the time to fill out a simple registration form.
Changing Spaces hope to bridge the divide between the people of Cambridge and the city itself.
Every three weeks new artists get the opportunity to display their work in one of the empty shop windows around the city centre. By focusing on short term exhibitions we can provide many opportunities to artists as well as creating a flexible schedule to suit all those involved.
We are looking forward to hearing all about your great ideas – get started now!
16 responses so far ↓
1 iain parker // Aug 4, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Great idea.
2 Jon // Aug 9, 2009 at 11:46 am
This is a really exciting, positive initiative. Truly giving clouds silver linings. Well done and thank you for brightening up Cambridge.
3 lisa // Aug 18, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I just set up my “Garden of Eden” installation in the Eden Hall/Grafton Centre. Check it out!
4 matt chandler // Aug 20, 2009 at 12:01 pm
how does it work then? do u have to be a professional artist or designer to participate in the scheme? I would be interested in publicising my work and this seems like the perfect opportunity.
5 phil austin // Aug 23, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Hi, My photography company would be interested in acquiring some empty shop window space on a short let to display wedding and portrait photography….are there any available sites in and around Cambridge ?
6 Andrew Berry // Aug 23, 2009 at 9:36 pm
What an excellent idea. I have seen a few changing-spaces exhibits around the grafton centre area and they were both eye-catching and interesting. Its such a good way to turn the negative and depressing effects of the credit crunch into an opportunity to show the work of local artists and artisans.
7 Anna // Sep 4, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Good morning Georgia,
I received the info about you from Dan Thompson.
I read about Empty Shops in Cambridge News.
Could I have some information about exhibitions in Cambridge?
I am an artist and I would like to know if it’s possible to take part in the initiative.
Thank you very much.
Best regards
Anna
8 Heloise // Sep 16, 2009 at 11:30 am
Hi, do I still have time to get involved in this or am I too late? Heloise.
9 Thomas Hawkins // Sep 23, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Hello there,
I think this is a fantastic concept and as soon as I became aware of the project (on walking past the shoe shop once called ‘Raw’ in the city centre) I have been on the lookout for more changing spaces in the city.
I would love to get involved in whatever capacity, so if you require any assistance please do not hesitate to ping me an email. I have a real interest in the interrogation of unorthodox spaces through contemporary art installation and would love to get involved.
Many thanks,
Thomas
10 Jennie Tennant // Oct 26, 2009 at 9:34 am
Such a fantastic way of re-energising the town centre, really welcomed by those of us who live locally.
11 Changing Spaces – November’s New Windows!! // Nov 19, 2009 at 11:56 am
[...] Changing Spaces has some new displays for November! Anji Jackson-Main and Miranda Boulton will be exhibiting their artwork from 16th November, at Mr Shoes, 19 Market Hill, and Karen Stamper will be displaying her paintings at Manon, 16 Magdalene Street from the 17th November!! Photo’s of the windows coming shortly! [...]
12 Fiona Chaney // Dec 21, 2009 at 6:45 am
I am interested in exhibiting work. Please send application info. Great idea…Thanks Fiona Chaney
13 Fiona Chaney // Dec 21, 2009 at 6:46 am
Hello, I enclose website info on work. Fiona Chaney. (group and solo)
14 Susi Norman // Jan 25, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Hi, I am Susi Gutierrez, and very interested about exhibiting my srtwork. I know Anji Jackson from Anglia Ruskin. I have tried to apply twice but the system crashed. A shame as I spent a good time writing about my work. The e-mail you provide: elaine.midgley@cambridge.gov.uk was undelivered…. Do not know how to contact you! My mobile is 07743952974.
15 Les Wood // Feb 3, 2010 at 5:17 pm
we used the empty shop project to promote a community project for young people within Hundred Houses Society.
it really was excellent for the young lad Kyran who has been able to show that what young people do is not negative.
thank you for giving him the oppertunity that he will never forget.
16 art attack « Catfishwomen // Apr 23, 2010 at 4:14 pm
[...] the weekend and fancy abit of window shopping to save some pennies then you should check out the changing spaces exhibtions for some windows with a difference. The project was started in 2009 with a view to [...]
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