‘IT’S ARTY TIME’

DEVELOPING ARTS ACTIVITIES WITHIN COMMUNITY SETTINGS

As told by Jo Pullar, Founder of Space 109 Community Arts Space

My name is Jo, I’m a qualified artist with a passion for people and creativity. I set up Space 109 in what used to be a derelict building in 2006 because I saw a need in Walmgate, where I live, for an inspirational meeting place for the community, where people have the opportunity to be artistic and expressive.

We started ‘It’s Arty Time’ and ‘Parent Rescue’, because I wanted to set up a creative group that supported the parents as much as the children. It’s 16 years since my daughter was born but I remember the shock and isolation you can feel when you become a Mum, particularly when all the attention suddenly goes to the child! I believe that many of the issues with child behavioural problems begin with the parents so if we create a nurturing, sharing, understanding space for the parents they are less likely to suffer isolation and depression, which can lead to low self esteem and the resentment and neglect of the child. 

I really hoped we could get a group going where parents felt comfortable and would create a supportive community amongst themselves.

We used to run a messy play group at Space 109 and it worked well for a while but fizzled out. I think it was because neither of the group leaders were recent mums. It’s important to have a group like this run by somebody who is going through the same kind of experiences as the parents who come – it’s about support more than leadership. So I advertised for a volunteer who was a recent mum. Claire happened to be exactly the right person, in the right place at the right time. We put our ideas together and came up with Arty Time.

It’s an established group now that reaches out to the community and will expand and grow. I like it when I know Space 109 is supporting people with a real need.

Space 109’s aims are: 

• To provide opportunities for people to express themselves in creative and positive ways
• Decrease individual isolation and exclusion
• Encourage increased awareness, acceptance and community pride
• Ensure Space 109 continues to meet the needs of the community.

Arty Time fulfils all of these aims. The group also brings people through the doors who will engage with Space 109 as a building and a project. More parents come to Walmgate (the local area), go into the shops and generally support the area.

It’s very satisfying to set up a group that succeeds. The group of parents and kids we have coming are great. I’d like to see more engagement from parents in the immediate local area too. We have a good relationship with the local Children’s Centre and in future we might want to seek referrals from them or from Social Services. If we can get parents with different kinds of needs all supporting each other it will be fantastic.

Story told by Jo Pullar, Founder of Space 109 Community Arts Space

Storycatch supported by City of York Council (Inclusive Arts, Arts & Culture) - July 2010