ISLINGTON MILL ART CLUB AWARDED A HUGE LOTTO FUNDING BOOST OF £746,000

A generous award of £746,000 is heading to Islington Mill's Art Club after the National Lottery Herritage Fund granted them the huge amount of cash to help further their vision for the historic mill.

The much needed money will go towards a new roof, weather proofing of the existing structure, a new entrance way, an outdoor lift to all floors and much more as the group seek to usher new life into the 197-year-old former Cotton Mill.

It also means that the buildings 5th and 6th floors can finally be renovated and put to use for creative spaces and work areas.

Most importantly the the tenancy of the building is now secure and in being so it secures its use as a premiere artistic space for many more years to come.

The Heritage Funding came after the group managed to secure half a million pounds themselves through various campaigns and fundraising efforts. Salford Council also made a contribution along with another from Arts Council England.

Maurice Carlin, Co-Director of Islington Mill said:

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“Islington Mill is sustained by, and thrives off, the collective energy, ideas and opportunities brought by artists. I am one of many artists who made artworks to raise funds for the Mill. Together we raised over £100,000 which is a phenomenal achievement by any standards. This latest funding success will secure a long future for the finest surviving heritage building of its kind in the region, in perpetuity for generations more artists to come, guarding against the developing gentrification that has occurred in other urban centres and ensuring that artists have affordable studio space and a creative atmosphere in Salford in which to grow.”

Bill Campbell, Co-Director and Founder of Islington Mill also says:

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“At Islington Mill we have always offered both space and time in which artists can flourish, by offering a range of support and encouragement, and holding a safe place for people and their ideas to grow, develop and happen in their own way, at their own pace, when there was sometimes no other place for these things to happen.”

Meanwhile, Salford City Mayor Paul Dennet said:

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“Salford has always been a working city, where things are made. We’re hugely excited about this project, encouraging independent artistic industry in our city, driven by the community and those who live on-site. This is an exciting experiment in how to protect areas of rising rents from gentrification, how to keep these places affordable both for residents and also artists and creatives (who often live off a shoe-string!) We’re building a self-governing, affordable and accessible artistic space for industry, jobs and the arts. I couldn’t be more enthusiastic!”

In a press release on the Mills website a spokesperson thanked those who had shown support for the project over the years, adding - There will be more news and updates to follow, but in the meantime let’s take a moment to celebrate the good news. You did it. We did it. Islington Mill forever….!

Photos: http://www.islingtonmill.com/