Armstrong Studio Trust | Ken Grant artist

Work for Armstrong Studio Trust includes;

AST; acting chairperson, planning and administrating major re-organisation and building development 2016/17 onward.
Mentoring. Early to mid career artists through AST and provision of subsidised studio.
Provision of project space at AST, for Newcastle University and University of Northumbria, Architectural and Conservation depts.
Management and facilitator of exhibition space.

Armstrong Studio Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Founder member and current administrator of Armstrong Studio Trust, formerly Greenhaus Artists Association, set up in 1984/5 as a non-profit making artist led organization to provide affordable secure studio and workshop space for fine art practice in Newcastle Upon Tyne. Between 1985 and 2020 mor than 100 artists have benefited, working mainly in sculpture and painting. The studios occupy The Banqueting Hall a grade II listed building and controlled ruin within Jesmond Dene, a historic park gifted to the City of Newcastle Upon Tyne by Lord William Armstrong in 1883.

In 2001 Armstrong Studio Trust received funding (2002) from the Regional Arts Lottery Programme (RALP) for capital investment work which was successfully completed in 2003.

Since 2015 AST has initiated a broader development of the building and its historic legacy. This currently includes: Jesmond Heritage, The National Trust, Community Interests and the new Parks CharitableTrust, Urban Green.

AST continues to focus on studio support, exhibition, studio practice and mentoring.

Armstrong Studio Trust

A R T + A R C H I T E C T U R E + E N V I R O N M E N T

The Banqueting Hall

Jesmond Dene Road

Jesmond

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE2 2EU

Established 1985

Resident at the Banqueting Hall 1986 – (2020)

Image copyright: Christopher Brown PhD Researcher University of Northumbria 2015

For Enquiries and Comments

Armstrong Studio Trust can be contacted on ast12@talktalk.net

A short description

“Jesmond Dene runs for several miles along an artificial ravine, extending from Armstrong Bridge at the South and Dene Bridge at the North. In 1883 the Dene was given as a gift to Newcastle City by Sir William Armstrong for use as a public park. Included in Armstrong’s gift was the grand Banqueting Hall (listed Grade II), commissioned from the celebrated architect John Dobson in 1860. The Banqueting Hall has been managed most recently as a “controlled ruin”. It is utilized and maintained by The Armstrong Studio Trust, who open the premises to artists seeking a place to produce. In this respect, the Banqueting Hall is a huge decaying machine for the production of art”.

Brief provided for Stage 1 Architecture Students for the project

“Architecture Machines”

School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Newcastle.

Support for Artists

As a studio based organisation our main purpose has been the provision of affordable workspace. Since 1985 this process has assisted and encouraged artists to successfully maintain professional practice, quality of work and career development.

Since 1986 upwards of 100 artists have benefited from the support of the studios, for example by long term studio provision for professional practice, start up projects, technical support, mentoring, research space and facilities to carry out commissioned work.

AST has also provided opportunities for the exhibition of new work and initiated projects resulting in funding for small scale but strategically significant artworks within individual career development. AST recognises the difficulties in finding help for projects as a solo practitioner as a particular difficulty within the fine arts and acts as an umbrella organisation in some circumstances in support of the artists economy.

Artist Studio Provision

AST are an artist led not-for-profit organisation, originally set up by graduates of the Fine Art course at the University of Northumbria (Newcastle Polytechnic). Members of AST through the years have included sculptors, painters, printmakers, photographers and media based artists, all of whom required a studio base to work from. These artists contribute socially through many kinds of secondary work including teaching at all levels, arts in health, arts in science, commissioned works including small scale and public projects, exhibitions, design, training and mentoring , research, conservation skills such as stone carving and lettering work and other contributions to landscape and the built environment.

AST are members of the National Federation of Artist Studio Providers (NFASP).

Outreach, Education and Inclusion

Lack of suitable teaching space at the Banqueting Hall complex has resulted in outreach projects being led by artists elsewhere. Specialist teaching has taken place in many different locations including The Laing Art Gallery, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Trust and Blyth Power Station and within specialist care environments across the North East. Groups who have benefited include neurological and acquired head injury, blind and visually impaired groups, learning difficulties and mental health. The studios have also helped support an artist in the establishment of a Foundation Degree in Fine Art at HMP Frankland, innovative within the obvious limitations of a high security prison.

Perceptual and special needs participation requires a prepared environment with additional design features and it is intended to integrate these aspects into the new building to provide a unique facility within the larger project. Schools and mainstream education work are also often part of the portfolio teaching careers of artists and studio visits have sometimes been included, alongside occasional work experience placements.

It is hoped that the proposed new building and refurbishment of the Banqueting Hall complex will allow access to art for a wide variety of groups and individuals in a flexible and responsive way.

Visits

In addition to exhibitions and visits by students and specialists within the fine arts AST have recently hosted meetings and consultations with the immediate community including the Friends of Jesmond Dene, the Jesmond Dene Rangers and volunteers and representatives of the Heaton History Group. Researchers looking at the legacy of Lord Armstrong and the history of the building have been based here. Archaeological, ecological and structural survey works have also been happening on site in preparation for new development.

In 2012 AST were pleased to be able to host the AGM visit of the Victorian Society on their visit to the North East. Consultation at the Banqueting Hall has included preliminary discussions with the Heritage Lottery and an assessment visit from English Heritage regarding the current listing of the Banqueting Hall at Grade II.

Solutions and Plans for the future

Armstrong Studio Trust has recently combined forces with the new organisation Jesmond Heritage to resolve the longstanding difficulties faced by the Banqueting Hall since its partial demolition in the mid 1970’s.

These include both conservation and restoration of the physical fabric of the building and the historic, contextual and funding issues connected with purpose and use. Replacement of missing ancillary buildings also requires an innovative but sensitive new building to be successfully integrated with the existing architecture by John Dobson and Norman Shaw.

As part of this initiative AST are continuing to work in partnership with Newcastle City Council, the Heritage sector and Community Organisations with particular local significance including The Friends of Jesmond Dene.

Sir William Armstrong’s 1883 Deed of Gift

AST are also working with Jesmond Heritage and Newcastle City Council to reinstate Sir William Armstrong’s original Deed of Gift in a way that respects the Donor’s wishes in a contemporary framework. This includes his instructions that the Banqueting Hall be used exclusively for non commercial purposes to benefit the people of Newcastle and with a particular emphasis on Arts, Literature, Education and the Sciences.

PROPOSAL

AST’s Proposal therefore is the provision of purpose made space to support the following:

Training, Mentoring and Professional Development Opportunities for Young Artists

Building on AST’s existing work

A Drawing School Accessible to All

Modelled on The Royal Drawing School, London (Formerly The Princes’ Drawing School)

Drawing in all forms and inclusive of digital arts.

A Social Arts Studio

with support for specialist arts provision.

A New Gallery

accessed directly from Jesmond Dene focussed on art, science and environment.

A Resource, Library and Study Centre

focussed on the work of Sir William Armstrong in the Arts and Sciences

Open to all with an interest in Armstrong’s legacy and its relevance in today’s society.

These main functions will be further supported by a lift giving access from road level to ground level, office space, temporary accommodation for visitors contributing to the work of the Trust, small kitchen area, visitor facilities, and a heating system to replace the missing coal fired boilers which originally operated the building. A high specification BREEAM approved building is sought, incorporating good thermal properties, insulation and low carbon footprint.

Access and parking issues.

In line with contemporary best practice AST’s proposed scheme for the Banqueting Hall seeks to limit car use as far as possible on Jesmond Dene Road and no additional car parking space is sought. Access on foot through the Dene is actively encouraged, part of Armstrong’s original intention for viewing the building and parking will primarily be allocated to those needing disabled parking or drop off points. Previous experience on site suggests this is workable. Jesmond Heritage also cite the potential for low impact electric vehicles in the Dene, and cycle spaces will be provided at both road level and ground level. Parking for buggies and places to tether dogs are also anticipated needs in a public park.

Exhibitions

AST have used existing space at the Banqueting Hall to show a number of different exhibitions in recent years in which artists respond to the history, architecture and environment of the building and Jesmond Dene. These include several addressing the current unusual status of the building as a “Controlled Ruin”. Although successful both artistically and in terms of finding an audience the space itself is set on a staircase and cannot now be considered fully accessible. A purpose made space will be needed for the future.

“Art Exhibition is a credit to the City” (For the exhibition “Staircase Wit”)

“I feel I must write to congratulate the organisers of the current art exhibition at The Banqueting House in Jesmond Dene, Newcastle. The quality of the work on display is truly superb and is matched only by the warmth of the welcome and the magnificence of the setting. I am sure Lord Armstrong would be delighted that his gift to the city and its people is being put to such an appropriate use. Indeed, there can be few exhibition spaces offering such a felicitous combination of art, architecture, history and beauty. As a resident of Jesmond, I feel that such an imaginative use of the building enhances what is already a beautiful location and Newcastle City Council deserves great credit for encouraging such a venture. I look forward with relish to further exhibitions.”

Jim Lough, Jesmond, Newcastle

Letters Page, The Journal, 25/06/2010

Feasibility and Community Involvement

Armstrong Studio Trust have a longstanding commitment to the environment, community and history of Jesmond Dene and are proposing the continuation of a successful relationship which appears to have the support of both the local and wider community and bring artists into the Dene in a complimentary rather than contentious way. The current plan is informed by numerous pilot projects at the Banqueting Hall in recent years to test out different aspects of the complete proposal. These have also located many of the skills and revenue funding needed to support the particular requirements of each distinct part of the proposal. Formal and informal discussions are ongoing with interested groups and individuals.

Comments, feedback and new contributions to this process are also welcomed via ast12@talktalk.net

AST are currently working through initial approaches with the award winning architects Adam Khan - a practice increasingly being recognised for their commitment to working collaboratively with communities, making buildings for people and the client’s active engagement in the architectural process. This is an innovative and sensitive practice with particular expertise and interest in environmental design (BREEAM outstanding) and the provision of high specification arts buildings and working in physically challenging locations.

Capital funding is likely to be secured initially from the cultural and heritage sector, for new build and for conservation and restoration of the remaining historic building. The project is considered to be of both local and national importance. Private funding and sponsorship may be possible provided public benefit is maintained in full. Significant funding has previously been raised by AST including through the Regional Arts Lottery Programme.

“Untitled Season. Interval and Response.”

A Programme of Exhibitions hosted by AST, Summer 2010.

Exhibition “Sterna Paradesea. Oblique Ornithologies”

Image credits: William Colwell, Mike Collier