Maker in Residence
An invitation to artists with craft based skills to use a studio at the Old Fire Station for a year in return for
inspiring and supporting homeless people to engage with our new MAKING SPACE programme
The newly refurbished Old Fire Station on George Street opened in November 2011 offering performance
and rehearsal spaces, a gallery, a cafe and a shop. It also houses CRISIS Skylight – a training centre for
homeless and vulnerably housed people.
Within the building are six purpose built studios available for hire to artists, designers and makers. The two
charities are jointly offering one of these as an award to an artist in return for contracted voluntary work.
ABOUT MAKING SPACE
Making Space is a new programme of exhibitions, workshops, talks and demonstrations which explore how
and why artworks are made. This programme is aimed at all three of our target audiences: artists, the
general public and homeless people. We want the homeless people who use the Old Fire Station (Crisis
members) to be able to access the Making Space programme alongside artists and the public.
WHAT WE WILL OFFER
A free studio for 12 months (6 month probationary period)
Potential opportunities for you to showcase and/or sell work in our gallery and shop (at the discretion of
the visual arts team).
In house training and supervision in working with vulnerable adults.
Opportunities to be part of a team developing an innovative programme.
WHAT YOU WILL OFFER
An average of 8 unpaid hours per week (worked flexibly) working alongside Crisis tutors and the visual arts
team to encourage and support Crisis members to engage with exhibitions, workshops, talks and
demonstrations. This will involve getting to know the programme, getting to know the members who are
interested and finding ways to encourage them to attend events and feel welcome and comfortable at
those events. This could include giving exhibition talks, liaising with the Visual Arts team about
programming events, contributing to practical sessions.
ABOUT THE STUDIO
The studio is 3mx3m and constructed of 2m high chipboard panels in one shared space. It contains
 A lockable storage pod
 A fold away desk
 A lamp
 Space for large flat items (eg canvas)
 Electricity supply and data access point
Other features
 Wifi
 24 hour access through staff only entrance




Easily accessible toilet facilities
Good daylight
Shared use of tea making facilities and separate artists’ sink
Car parking space for short term loading only
The studios are not suitable for artists that create a lot of noise, dust, smell or wet mess. They are on the
first floor and access is via stairs.
If you would like to apply to be Maker in Residence at the Old Fire Station please send us the following:
 your CV
 a statement about why you would be suitable for this role (no more than 700 words)
 up to 8 images of your work as jpeg, pdf or weblink
 the name of one or two referees who can comment on your making practice and your suitability to
a role working with vulnerable adults.
Applications should be sent to katherine.tomlinson@crisis.org.uk by 10.00 am on Tuesday 3rd March 2015
If you would like to view the studio before applying please contact katherine.tomlinson@crisis.org.uk or
call 01865 263900 and make an arrangement to visit.
 Deadline for applications – 10.00am on 3rd March 2015
 Interviews will take place on 10th March 2015
 The studio will be available for the successful applicant to occupy from 1st April 2015
We look forward to hearing from you.
To find out more about Arts at the Old Fire Station, visit www.oldfirestation.org.uk.
To find out more about Crisis Skylight Oxford, visit
http://www.crisis.org.uk/pages/crisis-skylight-oxford.html