CREATIVE SPACES

Creative Live/Work Co-operative

'To bring people together to live and work creatively and ethically in a sustainable community.'

Creative Spaces is currently inviting applications for membership of this new and exciting housing cooperative.

Creative Spaces is a voluntary cooperative group that seeks to generate collaborative communities for living and working. This is being done in partnership with others, such as local councils, housing associations, other cooperative organisations, creative industries and individuals.

Creative Spaces is currently engaged in a potential live/work housing project in a semi rural area close to Cardiff.   This project is in the planning, development and negotiation stage together with local authorities.  

Creative Spaces is based on the co-operative values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. It is driven by concern for community, social responsibility, caring for others, supporting creative practice and making efforts to live and work in a more sustainable way.

Group Aims:

• To develop live/work communities of people who use creativity in their work. 
• To foster common interests and shared goals for living and working.
• To support each other to achieve productive and sustainable ways of living.
• To empower artists by providing affordable, secure live/work environments.
• To facilitate collaboration and pooling of resources.
• To make safe and welcoming communities in which to live and work.
• To participate in and enhance the local community.
• To achieve multi-generational participation and cultural diversity.

Creative Spaces is currently engaged in a potential live/work housing project in a semi rural area close to Cardiff.   This project is in the planning, development and negotiation stage together with local authorities.  

Development Projects Criteria

• Live/work housing projects should be affordable and open to all who are in agreement with the cooperative principles and meet membership criteria.

• The projects may be of mixed tenure, ie. open to social housing, private rental or buy into.

• We will prioritise efficient homes using materials that meet the code for sustainable homes Level 4 at least, using all the methods available to ensure homes are energy efficient and affordable to heat. E.g. passive housing principles, natural energy resources and captured energy.

• We are committed to utilise local providers and resources in the planning, design, building and maintenance of our projects wherever this is feasible.

• As part of our sustainable principles, projects should have access to public and community transport (i.e. car-pooling), cycle/walking routes to enable access to basic amenities.

• It is planned that projects will include a community garden/allotment space, involving the members and the wider community by:
  • Providing fresh local produce (market garden)
  • Giving access to a ‘green’ educational facility (Permaculture methods, plant dyes, foraging, bee keeping) to promote self-sufficiency and healthy lifestyle
  • Providing a resource for creative crafts (natural dyeing, basketry, woodworking, clay-work etc.)

• It is planned that Projects should include a multi use community area/building that would be available to members and the wider community for projects, exhibitions and education.

Membership Criteria:

1. Members current main occupation is a creative profession.

This may include:

• Writers
• Performing arts
• Makers such as jewellers, printers, metalworkers, weavers, ceramicists, etc.
• Fine artists – painting, sculpture, installation, etc.
• Designers - Fashion, theatre, leatherwear, etc.
• Creative therapists
• Musicians
• Photographers
• Graphic artists and illustrators

2. Potential members will need to provide evidence that they are currently and seriously committed to their arts-based practice and that they will be mindful and positive contributors to the development and community.

3. Active member participation (eg. Attending appropriate meetings, contributing to meetings, skill and knowledge sharing, practical project site activities) is vital for generating and sustaining Creative Spaces projects and developments.

4. Members must be committed to a collective effort to promote creativity as a tool for bonding communities together whilst supporting individual artistic enterprises.

5. Members will be expected to participate and promote artistic and sustainable living and working practices, through training and educational projects.

Application Process

1.     Application form to be completed and submitted digitally and by post, to the society chair or a nominated person, with evidence of professional artistic activity as noted above.

2.     The applicant is invited to attend a meeting of the group to discuss their application and to meet the existing members.

3.     Subsequent to the meeting the applicant will be advised of the outcome of their application.

* This is for membership of the Cooperative society, which is not a guarantee of a place on any housing project, which will require a separate application at the appropriate time.

We are seeking more members to be involved - please e-mail elainepaton16@gmail.com for more information and an application form.