First steps to a Hidden Art Franchise
Falmouth College of Arts and Mazorca Projects sign research and co-operation agreement for Cornwall
28th September 2004
Falmouth College of Arts and Mazorca Projects are today signing a research and co-operation agreement to explore the potential for development of a Hidden Art Franchise in Cornwall. The Franchise will replicatethe innovative Hidden Art model of support services for designer-makers (designers and makers of furniture, ceramics, glass, jewellery etc) that has successfully developed over the past decade in East London.
Under the agreement Falmouth College of Arts will undertake a feasibility study and research into how the franchise could operate in Cornwall. This work will be completed by the end of 2004, and a pilot franchise is expected to commence by March 2005.
Mazorca Projects will be the first social enterprise in the UK to test and develop a social enterprise franchise network.
The collaboration was initiated by Falmouth-based Hannah Maughan, a former Hidden Art member who moved to Cornwall and identified the need to remain in touch with the network that Hidden Art provides in London. Hannah now teaches part-time at Falmouth College of Arts. The College is investing heavily in creative and technical support for designer-makers. In 2003 it opened a multi-million-pound Design Centre and appointed its first ever Business Fellow in 3D Design, Chris Chapman, to help make the expertise and facilities of the College available to designer-makers in the region.
The Hidden Art model is flexible, and can respond to local attributes. A new franchisee is initially contracted to run Hidden Art's core services, but thereafter can select additional services depending on the needs of local designer-makers.
The core services consist of running a local satellite of the Hidden Art website (
www.hiddenart.com); a membership scheme with a series of benefits, and regular networking events.
Cornwall-based designer-makers could begin to participate in Hidden Art initiatives as soon as November 2004, when some of their work will be selected for retailing in the Hidden Art Shop, launching for the first time in London.
This innovative and unique Franchise pilot scheme is expected to run until March 2006. It has been made possible thanks to a grant from the Phoenix Fund (an initiative of the Small Business Service, Department for Trade and Industry). European Social Funds from the Cornwall and Isle of Scilly Objective 1 programme will be used to support the activity.
Chris Chapman, Business Fellow in 3D Design at Falmouth College of Arts, said, “Extending the Hidden Art franchise to Cornwall would give a tremendous boost to designer-makers in the county. Work of the highest quality is being produced here. If designer-makers in the capital can benefit from the networking, marketing and advisory services of Hidden Art, how much more will practitioners in Cornwall welcome the opportunities for collaboration and promotion that this franchise can offer.”
Dr Katie Bunnell, leader of the Research Cluster: Digital Technology in 3D Production, said, “FCA’s design researchers are very excited about the opportunities that Hidden Art Cornwall will create for collaboration with professional designer-makers, and particularly those interested in the use of digital technologies, in creating innovative design processes and products.”
Professor Alan Livingston, Principal of Falmouth College of Arts, said, “The College is delighted to be working with Mazorca in this ground-breaking initiative to explore the extension of the Hidden Art franchise beyond London. Cornwall is already known as a place of inspiration for designer-makers. Helping them to connect to their markets is one of the most valuable new services we can provide.”
Dieneke Ferguson, Chief Executive and founder of Mazorca Projects said: “ ”It has been a long-term ambition to extend Hidden Art further, but its success has always been due to the way the project works at a local, personal level. This exciting new partnership with Cornwall paves the way for us to replicate Hidden Art in precisely the way we like to run our service. I am delighted by this opportunity to work with such a promising area as Cornwall with the enthusiasm and potential its designer-maker community has shown and we look forward to forging strong links between these similar communities."
For additional details please contact Fiona Sibley -
fiona@hiddenart.co.uk. For visuals please contact Brenna Jensen
brenna@hiddenart.co.uk both at Mazorca Projects. Tel, +44 (0)20 7729 3800 fax +44 (0)20 7729 3377.
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