Help Underbank Studios CIC to pay bills

Underbank Studios CIC is a Stockport-based arts space, homing Printmaking facilities, a micro arts library and a gallery. Our studio designs programmes of workshops, exhibitions and events, and empower' people to make art.

Our shared studio houses 15 resident artists and is also open to the public regularly. Originally established by four local creative women in 2021. Our vision was to create a space that nurtures, cultivates, and celebrates the vast array of talent that our town has to offer. Against the odds, we were able to successfully establish a creative community in the heart of the town, and have supported the growth of emerging artists and the broader cultural community.

So far—we have survived the aftermath of a pandemic, drastic flooding, ceilings falling down, no funding during a financial crisis, and a tory government, but we have now reached a point where we need extra support to enable us to continue.

What started as a team of four is now a team of only a couple of volunteers. So much work is involved in managing the space, and facilities that it is the equivalent of two full-time jobs, with zero profit. Our volunteers are pushed to limits, that are not sustainable. Without them the studio can't continue to exist. Your help would be eliminating one worry for them, and putting an end to them paying for these bills out of their own pockets.

As with many local establishments, soaring energy costs, insurance fees, and rental commitments have made surviving as a community hub no longer possible without help.

Underbank Studios is founded on a passion for community, arts, and a love of Stockport, with an objective to enrich our town. We have so far enabled artists from a wide variety of backgrounds to gain paid artistic opportunities, learn new transferable skills, host workshops, and exhibit in prestigious galleries such as 'Stockport Art Gallery' and 'HOME'. We have warmly welcomed residents and guests into our space for numerous events and activities, and contributed to the artistic heartbeat of the growing cultural community.

We have done almost everything at a financial loss of our personal income (outside of our recently funded 6 month project, via UKSPF). Although we have received UKSPF funding recently, these funds can only be spent on specific deliverables outlined in our project. We can't use this money to pay huge electric or tax bills.

We are asking for your help to enable us to continue to move forward with this labour of love. This money will be used to pay our enormous business tax bills and soaring energy costs. It will be a safety net which will allow us to focus on more important things, like supporting emerging artists!

We are so grateful in advance for any help/donations/sharing you can offer. As always we are up for a chat if you want to pop into the studio during our open days. Alternatively you can email us!

Big LOVE & Gratitude,

Underbank Studios CIC x