Creative People's Centre
The Depot Artspace
The Creative Peoples’ Centre: Its place in the history of the Depot Artspace
Down in Devonport a thriving arts community is testimony to a clear vision, a strong philosophy of inclusiveness, accessibility and empowerment, unfaltering tenacity and a large helping of community can-do.
This is the creative environment which has conceived and given form to the Creative People’s Centre.
In 1994 when a small band of intrepid Devonport locals approached North Shore City Council to lease them the old works depot to convert into an art and music centre they were met with serious official doubt which delayed any development for two years. As one of the casualties of Council amalgamation in 1989 when services and facilities were centralized the depot suffered years of neglect as a dumping ground for every possible kind of disposable detritus. The building was a bombsite!
In 1996 after ongoing negotiations the Council finally relented and offered a lease on the understanding that no handouts were likely to be forthcoming in the foreseeable future. This was an opportunity to put the no.8 fencing wire formula to the test in order to transform the facility.
First off Community Corrections came to the party, with a periodic detention team which gutted the space and built the fire egress, and an inspired builder with a hefty community service sentence who designed and built the music studios from hay bales and chicken wire for $200. The rehearsal space has since been described by a number of top musicians, including the drummer from REM, as acoustically brilliant.
Galleries and studios were created with panels of MDF hung from beams by chains, and themed exhibitions offered an initial enticement to artists to use the space as adventurously as they chose.
Along with increased development and community interest the Depot achieved a degree of respectability, and rumours that we were growing marijuana hydroponically in the fire egress to make ends meet were soon forgotten. Council undertook to re-roof the building and replace the industrial roller door which had served as the sole entrance with brand new glass bi-folds.
Further community involvement saw the construction of permanent walls to accommodate galleries, studios and rooms for the burgeoning number of projects the Depot was undertaking. Eventually the demand for services became so great that the Depot refurbished another council facility which now offers artists’ studios, a space for performance, workshops and seminars, and a second band rehearsal room. The Depot has fifty bands vying for rehearsal space and the recording opportunities offered by its community recording studio, Depot Sound.
The Depot has always shown a commitment to young people, and one of its galleries, Outerspace Gallery, is dedicated to exhibiting the work of young artists. NZ’s first ever Creative Apprentice, sell-out ‘grunge pop’ artist Rob Tucker, began his career here along with Yonel Watene, 2006 Young Maori Artist of the Year.
The Depot also undertook to produce a magazine that celebrated the achievements of creative young people, and in 2006 MORPH was conceived. A high quality, intelligent publication that carries no advertising MORPH is largely the work of young people who write and photograph for, as well as feature in, the magazine.
Among its other projects the Depot runs an internet radio station, Jam Radio, as a means of developing and connecting the creative community.
The Depot’s latest initiative is a partnership formed with arts lawyer David McLaughlin to offer advice, information and advocacy to creative people. The Creative People’s Centre is both web and community based and in an increasingly legislated, digitalised and competitive society provides a centre of support and capacity building resources to creative people across all disciplines. It encapsulates the Depot’s ethos of inclusiveness and accessibility and sits alongside other opportunities, such as Outerspace Design and the artists’ mentoring programme, PACE, which allow creative people to make their way independently in the world.
In its continual growth the Depot Artspace has never deviated from its philosophy, of which service is a significant cornerstone. It honours the creative spirit and welcomes new ideas and opportunities which enhance the life of artists and enliven and enrich the community.
Other Depot initiatives include:
Jam Radio – an online radio station for community and the arts CLICK HERE to be taken to the site.
Morph Magazine – online magazine for arts/culture CLICK HERE to be taken to the site.