We’re creating a new arts and culture hub for Ipswich.
By transforming a medieval church near the Waterfront into a dynamic venue, everyone will have a place to go for gigs, concerts, theatre, dance, events, exhibitions and more.
Interested? Why not get involved?
Help us create the new, and very vibrant, Ipswich Arts Centre.
Sign up here to join our list of supporters and play a part in launching a much-needed arts and culture venue.
If you’d like to also donate, we’ll make you an official Supporter of the Centre. We’ll send you the latest news on progress, and how your support is helping.
Even if you don’t donate, by simply registering you can help us demonstrate to funding organisations that we have strong support. This helps us source financial support to make the Centre a reality.
It’ll be your Centre, so why not tell us us your ideas about the kind of events you’d like to see?
Your details will be held in the strictest of confidence and we promise to never share your information.
Donate
To create a permanent space for live music, dance, film, art, poetry and more, in the disused St Clement’s Church, we need to raise money.
The first stage of construction, which will turn the church into a pop-up venue, involves minor building work, alterations and toilet facilities.
Thanks to the generosity of supporters, we’re on our way to hitting that target. However, we need more help.
By donating, you’ll help get Ipswich’s first ever Arts Centre open. Whatever you can give, you will make a difference. We’ll also make you a Supporter of the Arts Centre and keep you updated.
When the pop-up is open, the second phase will begin with fundraising to pay for the full renovation of the church.
For more information, please contact: ipswichartscentre@gmail.com
Volunteer
We need volunteers who can contribute all kinds of practical and creative skills.
Whatever your expertise – musician, studio producer, trades person, film maker, journalist, photographer, administrator, fundraiser – we’d love you to join our team of volunteers who are already hard at work behind the scenes.
If you can’t volunteer, be an ambassador for the Centre – tell your friends, family, teachers, colleagues, everyone at your local pub, favourite café, skate park or golf club. Thank you and we love you.
To find out more, contact: ipswichartscentre@gmail.com
Or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
What's On
Saturday 18 August 2018 & Sunday 19 August 2018
Waterfront, IpswichIpswich Maritime Festival 2018
The Ipswich Maritime Festival has become a fun filled annual family event celebrating Ipswich’s Maritime history and we are proud to represent St Clements Church (the Sailors Church) at the event.
Come and visit our stand and learn about the history, and future of St Clements Church. There will be an interactive display where you will have a chance to share your memories of Ipswich and your wishes for St Clements future.
We look forward to seeing you there.
8 September 2018
St Clements Church, IpswichRide and Stride 2018
St Clements Church will be open on 8th September 2018 for the annual Ride and Stride.
Participants can grab a free soft drink (water or squash) and a biscuit whilst we sign your form.
Saturday 15 September 2018 and Sunday 16 September 2018
St Clements Church, Fore Street, IpswichHeritage Open Days
The church will be open for visitors to come and visit our hidden gem and find out more about the importance of St Clements Church to Ipswich’s history….and its future.
Last year, visitors to the church inspired our Heritage Lottery Funded project – IAC Memories and Recollections Oral History Project www.iacmemories.org. There will be a chance for visitors to see the progress the project has made and be offered the opportunity to become involved in the project themselves.
Art Means Business
The Ipswich Arts Centre will benefit our business community too.
As a venue offering a diversity of events, it’ll encourage people to stay in Ipswich, instead of heading elsewhere for entertainment.
Waterfront pubs, bars and restaurants are also set to gain as the Centre will attract more people into the area, boosting the town’s profile.
So, it makes sense that business owners should also get involved. You’ll be investing in the Ipswich economy, while giving local people a place to go to develop their talents – as well as learn and have fun.
Plus, exposure to culture is proven to boost wellbeing, so your support will stretch way beyond funding construction work.
Some of our generous corporate supporters include Gotelee Solicitors, EDRM, Playle and Partners and Larking Gowen. See below for a full list of our supporters.
If you’d like your business to play a starring role in the Ipswich Arts Centre, get in touch today: ipswichartscentre@gmail.com
About Us
We’re creating a contemporary, performance space in St. Clement’s Church for the people of Ipswich.
Empty for 30 years, it’s the last of Ipswich’s medieval churches to seek a new lease of life. It’s also known as the Sailor’s Church, not only because of its proximity to the former harbour; Lord Nelson’s ship designer for HMS Victory – Sir Thomas Slade – is also buried there.
A Community Interest Company (CiC), the Arts Centre is driven by University of Suffolk Professor, Simon Hallsworth, and a group of dedicated volunteers.
The project aims to…
Create a venue matching successful ones in Cambridge, Colchester and Norwich that enrichen people’s lives.
Engage with people of all ages, ethnicities and abilities, so they participate in all aspects of the Arts in a supportive environment.
Plan to work in partnership with schools, colleges and the University to offer internships, work experience and training opportunities for young people, including disadvantaged groups and young people leaving care.
Provide a creative hub for community groups, with affordable space for rehearsals and events.
Offer a mid-sized venue to attract acts, including music and comedy, as well as theatre groups, which do not currently come to Ipswich.
History
We’re creating a contemporary, performance space in St. Clement’s Church for the people of Ipswich.
Empty for 30 years, it’s the last of Ipswich’s medieval churches to seek a new lease of life. It’s also known as the Sailor’s Church, not only because of its proximity to the former harbour; Lord Nelson’s ship designer for HMS Victory – Sir Thomas Slade – is also buried there.
A Community Interest Company (CiC), the Arts Centre is driven by a group of dedicated volunteers.
The project aims to…
Create a venue matching successful ones in Cambridge, Colchester and Norwich that enrichen people’s lives.
Engage with people of all ages, ethnicities and abilities, so they participate in all aspects of the Arts in a supportive environment.
Plan to work in partnership with schools, colleges and the University to offer internships, work experience and training opportunities for young people, including disadvantaged groups and young people leaving care.
Provide a creative hub for community groups, with affordable space for rehearsals and events.
Offer a mid-sized venue to attract acts, including music and comedy, as well as theatre groups, which do not currently come to Ipswich.
Memories & Recollections Oral History Project
Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, this project has been inspired by three women who visited St Clements Church and shared their personal memories with volunteers of the Ipswich Arts Centre during the 2017 Heritage Open Day.
Led by volunteers for the local community, the oral history project aims to record the experiences of local residents who used St Clements Church before it became redundant as a place of worship in the 1970s.
The project will use the captured oral accounts to construct a social narrative of the importance of St Clements Church – past and present.
We are asking for those with a connected history to the church to please get in touch with Nicola at iacmemories@gmail.com or visit the website www.iacmemories.org
Ipswich Arts Centre would like to say thank you to the following for their continuing help and support:
Sam Abelman
Open Heritage
Robin Bater
Building Control Officer
at Ipswich Borough Council
Mark Aaron
Art Direction & Design
Elma Glasgow
Red Ruby Copywriting
David Letts
Starfuse
John Blatchly
Ipswich Historic Churches Trust
Gail Broom
Conservation Officer
Ipswich Borough Council
Bawden Burrows
MLM
Albion Mills
Conatus Associates
Stuart Coy
Playle and Partners
Judy Dow
ProHelp Suffolk
Richard MacRea
EDRM
Daniel Fisher
Architectural Visualisation
James Hall
Ipswich Historic Churches Trust
Jim Horsefield
As Described
Ipswich Historic Churches Trust
Copperhead Toad
Ben Payne
Illuminate Design
Marianne Muir
MarianneMuir Limited
Neil Salter
Paul Cotterell
PodPea Ltd
Suffolk New College
Victoria Spelman
Gotelee Solicitors
Cad Taylor
Ipswich Community Media
Mike Taylor
Conservation and Urban Design Officer at Ipswich Borough Council
Richard Vivian
Big Sky Acoustics
Dr. Emma Bond
Chris Mortimer
Out Of Time Records
Judy Terry
Saline Moore
Andrea Tocca
Claire Seaman
Emily Godden
Audit Chaos
Dr. Olumide Adisa
Craig Macartney
Sarah Sheppard
© Copyright 2017. Ipswich Arts Centre CIC. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be copied or re-produced without permission.
IPSWICH ARTS CENTRE. St. CLEMENT’S CHURCH, FORE STREET, IPSWICH, SUFFOLK IP3 8AH. Community Interest Company Registered Number 017835.
Text: Elma Glasgow. Design: Mark Aaron. Website: David Letts, Starfuse.