TAZ - The Temporary Autonomous Zone
the former ABC Cinema, Hampstead Heath, London

This large building had been purchased by Marks & Spencer's who intended to convert it to one of their stores.
Whilst this idea was being processed the property stood derelict and was an eyesore in the community.

Performers from the then Warp Theatre Company agreed with the new owners to provisionally take residence and open it up as a temporary theatre. The Art Organisation, working with this group, utilised one of the former cinema spaces and transformed it to a white-walled gallery.

The building had originally been illegally squatted and used for all night parties to the disgust of the local residents.
This short-lived project though was welcomed and seen as an important addition to the neighbourhood.
Once the decay had been cleared and the interiors made clean, the local Council were consulted to ensure that health and safety standards were met, and the program of performance events and exhibitions were scheduled.

491 Gallery
Grove Green Road, Leytonstone, London E11

Another empty property, vandalised, abused and left in a state of disarray following the building of the M11 link road. Concerned for the community, members began the task of cleaning and repair, securing the premises which local children had been using as a playground.
The Art Organisation approached the current landlords, Transport for London, with a proposal to utilise and rebuild the property, wishing to transform it to a gallery space.

Transport for London said no, as this official approach through the registered status of the The Art Organisation Limited would set a precedence Transport for London were not willing to support.

The local community, however, having recognised this early work by our members were determined that the property would not be allowed to return to its previous state and have since taken the project of restoration further and continue to work on its regeneration.

Bluehouse Darkroom and Workshop
Wealden Forest Park, Herne Common, Kent

The Darkroom unit was one of several units that had stood derelict since their earlier vacation, large breeze blocks, glasses metal window frames and a rusting tin roof. They flooded when it rained and one could imagine a dusty desert wind when dry.

In association with the landlord, Terry Stanford, The Art Organisation agreed a rent for a unit if he was willing to fund its renovation, working with TAO. For this to happen the original stonework was clad over and a new roof laid and the inner pits where windows once looked out were boarded and an instant darkroom was created. The flooding was controlled though the rain often falls, but more often than not it is sunny in North Kent, and the Bluehouse darkroom, its equipment, workshop and office proved to be a welcome shelter in which to produce a portfolio of related artwork.

On taking possession of the unit the project began in earnest in September 2002.
The unit was partitioned to create two sections dividing the darkroom from an office and workshop, with tools, an area that combined with the yard has proved useful for framing.

Most of the equipment to set-up had been donated or bought second hand. Equipment for the darkroom came via Crosby Slater Photographic and Pratt Contemporary Art.
The partitioning came from ex-exhibit displays, the office ceiling was a bunch of abandoned doors and the worktops covered in recycled vinyls.

Facilities included:

· Process and print 35mm and medium format black and white film and imagery.
· 2 table top condenser enlargers with various lenses.
· 2 floor standing enlarger capable of the large format monochrome printing; bath tub to wash off in.
· Textile and framing workshop. Home dyes.
· Computer link and the internet connection, research library.
· Established network of artistry.
· Discounts for materials via Kentmere and Fotospeed
· Short term accommodation, shower, washing machine, cooking.
· Access to British Wildlife facility, and Kent rural countryside and coast

The workshop had a wood stove and portable heaters in the darkroom and workshop.There were kitchen facilities and temporary accomodation was arranged.

The working ethos of the space promoted the support of charitable trusts, non-profit organizations and positive causes. Links in the community had formed an established media representation and a history of completed projects in the region.The surrounding countryside was a source of inspiration and encouraged work in conservation and nature.

As an experiment to create a sustained unit, the darkroom, as a facility of The Art Organisation attained council tax exemption, creating education workshops accessible by the community..

The Art Organisation originally received National Lottery funding through The Access For All Awards, to support a programme of education to young people involved with Kent County Council and Rainer and the 16+ program of Kent Youth Mentoring. This first three-month program, ran by member Robert Howie Smith, culminated with a community exhibition at The Horsebridge Centre, Whitstable, Kent April 13th - 26th 2005. TAO then sought further ways to fund projects like this, for the benefit of the community, and in 2006 agreed with Kent County Council and Canterbury City Council Arts Department to support a second programme, aimed at teaching darkroom techniques to a larger group of young persons involved with 16+ Canterbury and Swale. TAO had further support on this project from Fotospeed for photographic materials. Full information is available online www.bluehouseart.org.uk

The Art Organisation agreed use of the facilities for MA Photography students at The University College for the Creative Arts (Rochester) wishing to experiment in large scale hand-printed darkroom techniques. The facilities will also be available for UCCA BA Photography students who are being lectured by member Robert Howie Smith and was available to Canterbury College students seeking work experience in photography related subjects.

The Bluehouse Darkroom was available for short term use: one, three and six months residencies and was an ideal resident opportunity for a graduate artist working with photography, with facilities to create a body of work suitable for exhibition.

The facility closed in June 2006 and transferred to the basement of the new Nottingham venue. It was unable to sustain itself financially, despite having pioneered these programmes of arts-related education in the community and a portfolio of large scale experimental black and white photography by resident artist Robert Howie Smith and visiting members.

Margate Rocks
Thanet - Contemporary Arts Festival

Members of The Art Organisation were invited to show their work during the festival in 2002.
Margate Rocks takes advantage of empty premises in the old town of Margate, Kent. The Art Organisation thought it important to support this event in line with our constitution and, in agreement with the landlord, temporarily took possession of the former Midland Bank.

Unfortunately the organisers were not happy with The Art of Drawing Unconventionally workshop that was ran in the space and asked us to leave midweek before the festival ended and before we truly got the party started.

Post Art
Leytonstone High Street, London E11

Members took possession of this former Post Office following its purchase by The Iceland Group, who were hesitant in its conversion and had left it unoccupied. The members approached The Iceland Group and requested its temporary use. The space was then utilised and for short period exhibited the work of our members and local artists.

Forest Recycling Project
Waltham Forest E17

Key members worked toward the interior construction of the F.R.P. which now serves as an important asset to the community in the East of London, and provides recycled materials, wood, paint etc to those in need.

Liverpool Biennial 2004

The Art Organisation secured the temporary use of twenty misused, disused, empty or derelict buildings in Liverpool during this years Biennial.

Members arrived in Liverpool on the 12th of September 2004 as a listed independent group that is The Meta-Conceptual Gathering 4.

Accommodation was provided and the opportunity to exhibit, show and participate during an International Festival of Contemporary Art - Liverpool Biennal.

From our headquaters in Liverpool, St. Bride's Church, The Art Organisation orchestrated the promotion of these given venues during the event.

TAO HQ
483 Grove Green Road, London E11

Following on from The Art Organisation's attempt to secure the use of 491 Grove Green Road from Transport for London, The Art Organisation approached the landlord of its neighbouring property, 483.

This building was not only in similar state but required serious restoration, refurbishment and decoration. Through the registered status of The Art Organisation Limited, we agreed a tenancy of will, with a peppercorn rent, with the landlord and have since established the premises as studio space for several of our members. All the bedrooms, the kitchen and the bathroom have been cleaned, repaired and, in some cases, redesigned. The garden has been cleared of the excess of rubbish following the construction of the M11 link road. The ground floor which has served as a workshop and storage to resident members is still in need of more serious refurbishment though it is a vast improvement on its original state when we took possession.

Our relationship with the landlord continues and recently we have began to discuss The Art Organisation obtaining a tenancy of 485 Grove Green Road, a property that needs serious construction to make it habitable.

The Boat
somewhere on the River Thames...

The Art Organisation was donated part ownership of this derelict former minesweaper.
Restoration work will begin having obtained grants from UnLtd - the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs.
The Art Organisation will be seeking dry docks for in the near future for this important work to take place. If you can help with this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Liverpool Ropewalks Regeneration Art Project

Launching at The Liverpool Biennial 2006, TAO, in association with Frenson Limited, are offering its members, a selection of working artists in the Liverpool local community, graduate artists from art-related courses at Liverpool John Moore’s University and Universities in the North West of England, and an exciting array of international artists, the opportunity to exhibit within five TAO galleries in Liverpool; to work toward the production of new artwork, produce arts based workshops for the community and exhibit in designated spaces and venues, curated by The Art Organisation, through The Ropewalks district of the City in The Liverpool Biennial 2006, and be part of the district’s artistic regeneration and Liverpool’s progression toward the City of Culture 2008.

Nottingham - Station Street.

In January 2007, TAO opened 21 Station Street, NG2, having converted the former Hopkinson's Hardware Store - derelict for over three years, and a community eyesore alongside a series of empty premises adjacent to the city's train station.