Sarah Collins

We need your help to continue to infuse the 

VACANT SPACE's of Adelaide, 

with life, colour and a lil urban culture!  

We want to run another series of 

free COMMUNITY ART EVENTS 

showcasing innovative artisans 

(paint, illustration, graffiti) 

and performers of urban culture 

(breakdancing, street fighting, DJs, hip hop acts + more)

www.vacantspace2012.com

(First things first: Thank you in advance for your time. I'm delighted that you stopped by and I hope, that after after reading about Vacant Space, you'll want to be a part of this community arts project.)

So what is this all about? Well...Vacant Space is an infusion; between a pretentious gallery and a back alley!

A group of volunteers every month during summer, miraculously put together a vibrant, pop up, open-aired gallery, artspace & marketplace, inspired by urban culture.

 We incorporated live artistic practices (paint, illustration, graffiti) and urban performances to immerse the community, into the world of Street Culture.

With such attractions as a BOUTIQUE LICENSED AREA, GOURMET STREET FOOD,   LIVE STREET PERFORMANCES INCLUDING DANCE, ART AND MUSIC, AEROSOL BATTLES, KIDS ART AREAS & CHILL OUT AREAS, to ensure the perfect sunday afternoon!

                                          Artwork by Stoops (cello-graff competition, Feb 10th, Vacant Space, Light Square)

MISSION & GOALS....Vacant Spaces overall goal; to encourage creativity through high quality exciting arts activities which benefit both the community and local South Australian Artists, whilst activating the cities streets, laneways and unexpected spaces with cultural sustainability.

Vacant Space encourages all styles of urban culture: from breakdancing to contemporary, roots to reggae, hip-hop to funk, Parkour to Capoeira, Vacant Space has a place for everyone”. All money raised by the events will go back into the next event – eventually with your support; these funds can go back into the art community and community development projects and classes.

Our long term goals however are to reduce the negative stigma that surrounds graffiti/street art within the community and decrease vandalism. How? Well studies show, that an increase of urban events and outlets, greatly reduces vandalism in surrounding areas. Even just to hold four of these events a year; would give local artists an outlet to practice their crafts and in doing so benefit the whole community!

PAST EVENTS....

Over our events we were spoilt for choice, we had a variety of dance groups perform everything from breakdancing, Capoeira street fighting to even a contemporary piece showcase. The hip hop acts ranged from: Ill Equipt, Chris Bass & Grifters Inc to DFTC, 4AR and DJ Gumshoe. 

More than ten amazing interactive artists volunteered their time to show their talents using a variety of mediums inc.MDF Board, Rolls of industrial cling wrap for 'cellograffing' and even the sun kissed skin of a select few gorgeous girls, who proudly showed off their graffiti style body art. 

To top off the series we ended on a high note...holding  Australia's first cello-graff competition, in which the inner city square was transformed into a sea of vibrant colours, letters and characters. 

Photo: David Brimer &Laura Pereira (Body Graff Art, Dec 9th, Vacant Space, Hindmarsh Square)

From the very beginning there's been a few people who we'll always have a soft spot for: So A special shout out too: Ironlak, Clinic116, Da Klinic, Green Shoes, SA Staging, Griffins Head Hotel & Splash Adelaide, for believing in VS, without you guys we wouldn't had even been more than an idea! 

THE BACKGROUND...I travelled extensively, until I realised, fun can be created everywhere you just have to make it happen! So, when I was given the opportunity to do a series of events by Splash Adelaide, I jumped at the chance, but my idea - incorporating my love of urban arts and culture and inspired by my travels i set out to create and fund a series of creative pop-up playgrounds. 

Once the word got out, it didn't revolve around me anymore, it revolved around the artists, the community and achieving something that hadn't been done before in Adelaide.

After recruiting in all friends, family and really anyone who put their hand up to help, we held workshops creating furniture, contacted potential sponsors, created a website and social media sites, spoke to my PR contacts about writing press releases, promoters about marketing techniques, attorneys about required permits, technicians for everything under the sun!… I could fill page after page with the questions I asked, the advice I sought, the favours I called in and the kindness, time and patience shown to me.

After various declined grant proposals, two maxed credit cards, a huge amount of public interest and my love for the artists who believed in Vacant Space from the very beginning...this campaign was born.

WE NEED YOU..I'd love to continue funding these events myself, I really would… and if it were possible to work hard enough within the next few months to cover the expenses, I'd probably die trying to do it. Unfortunately, even ventures backed by talent and fuelled by passion must also have a funding source.

If we reach our goal of $4,000, I can purchase an industrial marquee that will withstand all weather elements, will basic sound set-up and a generator.

(In reality, I'll need to raise just shy of $10,000 to ensure I can pay for the list below, materials to construct the walls, labour to erect them and continue this series of events for at least another 6 events and ensure they are completely sustainable and self sufficient. If we achieve this major goal, then Vacant Space will always be a free community event... so let's keep going once we hit the $4,000 mark, shall we?!) - (its good to dream big!)

Just in case you don’t read the fine print...If we do not reach our minimum target, we receive no funding AT ALL and our project will be deemed unsuccessful, so please if you cannot donate financially, please donate a few minutes and send this link to everyone you know, so this dream CAN become a reality:)

Please check our Facebook page for updates and info! We'll be unveiling special details about the process of securing our much needed items..as well as exclusive details about our featured upcoming event.

http://www.facebook.com/Vacant2012Space

www.vacantspace2012.com