Starter Studios

To foster new talent and support early career artists, Yorkshire Artspace run a Starter Studio Programme. This programme is designed to help ambitious and entrepreneurial artists who are at an early career stage to develop their skills and creative enterprises in a supportive environment. The programme includes shared workspace, access to equipment, technical and mentoring business advice, commission and exhibition opportunities. 

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Starter Studio for Designer Silversmiths 
Persistence Works

Over the last 8 years we have supported 15 ambitious and talented designer silversmiths to kick-start their careers in a fully equipped silversmith workshop at the award winning Persistence Works studio complex in Sheffield. Most of the silversmiths who have completed the programme have set up their own silversmith workshop, either in Sheffield or other parts of the country, and continue to run successful silversmiths businesses.

The programme’s sponsor, supporters and funders are proud of what has been achieved over the last 8 years and delighted to have contributed significantly to Sheffield’s aim to remain the UK centre for innovative metalwork design and craftsmanship.

Our next application forms will be out in May 2010 and we have places for up to four emerging designer silversmiths.

This 2 year programme offers access to the following:-

- Fully equipped, 108m2 shared workshop with 24/7 access at £98 per month* 

- Mentor Support from internationally renowned silversmiths based in Sheffield (currently Chris Knight, Brett Payne, Maria Hanson, Keith Tyssen)

- Technical and Design support from experienced silversmith Cameron Maxfield

- Free hallmarking registration, a hallmarking punch and hallmarking service from the Sheffield Assay Office for the duration of the programme

- Access to IT facilities with broadband

*rent is for the 2009-10 period with annual increase of around 3%.

Sheffield is the 4th largest city in England, a friendly city with a great support network to help emerging silversmiths set up in business. Traditionally, it has been renowned throughout the world as a centre of excellence for the cutlery industry and still offers opportunities today to get the work of silversmiths made, seen and promoted.

The Sheffield Assay Office has sponsored the programme since it started in 2002 and has commissioned every starter for the annual Little Gems commissions which go onto display at the Museums Sheffield: Millennium Galleries for six months each year. Our annual Galvanize Sheffield festival is also a showcase for much of the work made by our starter silversmiths on the programme (www.galvanizefestival.com).

If you are interested in obtaining a place on our programme and want to know more, please email Mir Jansen, the programme manager on mir@artspace.org.uk. Alternatively, you can ring for an informal chat or arrange to come and see this fantastic workshop for yourself.

Mir Jansen Programme Manager 0114 2130111 / 2761769 mir@artspace.org.uk 

"Having established and renowned silversmiths as our mentors has given us a better sense of direction.  Because they share their knowledge and experience so openly, it has really helped with determining how to take the first and often frightening steps to setting up our own silversmithing businesses" Sarah Denny, silversmith and previous beneficiary of the programme.

Silversmithing Skills Workshops

On the weekend of 7th and 8th November we ran a handraising skills workshop, lead by Cameron Maxfield. The course was a great success and everyone who took part managed to create a bowl from the flat silver disk we had provided them with at the start of this two day workshop. It is hoped that we will run another skills workshop next year lead by another established silversmith. If you are interested in taking part in any of our silvermithing skills workshops we will be running this year, please email mir@artspace.org.uk  with your name and telephone number and we’ll keep you in the loop.

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Little Gems

All our starter silversmiths have benefitted from a commission from the Sheffield Assay Office to make a new piece of work. These new pieces 'Little Gems' go on display at Museums Sheffield’s Millennium Galleries and end up in the city’s collections at the Museums Sheffield: Millennium Galleries and the Sheffield Assay Office. Current Little Gems exhibition displays work by Stefan Tooke, Charlotte Tollyfield and Anne Davis.  It will on display in the foyer of Millennium Galleries until beginning of May 2010.

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EXIT

Every silversmith who has completed the programme is also given the opportunity to showcase their work in our annual EXIT exhibition, held at Persistence Works in conjunction with the annual Galvanize Sheffield festival of contemporary metalwork.

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Future Starter Studio Programmes

We are currently working on developing additional starter studio programmes for our new sites at Manor Oaks and Knutton Road where we will focus on different creative practices.