Historical Background
Summary
North Norfolk Exhibition Project (NNEP) is managed, run and delivered by a core group of highly dedicated and energetic volunteers with an independent chairperson and additional support from a broader pool of artists. Its primary funding is from North Norfolk District Council.
NNEP was established in 2000 in direct response to the lack of exhibition opportunities for contemporary visual arts in North Norfolk, which has a much higher than average population of visual artists, being home to over 300 practitioners. Whilst the many excellent commercial galleries in the district offer some opportunity for exhibiting contemporary art, they are not able to support this volume of artists by showing the wide range of quality work being produced.
After an independent study was commissioned in 2000 to look at ways in which the visual arts might be better profiled within the district, NNEP was set up to:
• show innovative contemporary art in non-arts venues in North Norfolk
• provide opportunities to artists to show challenging and innovative work
• make contemporary visual art accessible to a wider audience
Since the very first exhibition down to earth in the summer of 2001, NNEP has annually staged a quality month-long exhibition in the beautiful setting of Salthouse Church. To complement this unique exhibition, a lively and varied programme of supporting performance events is held. In addition the project endeavours to engage with local schools and communities by offering participation in a range of art and craft workshops and guided exhibition visits. Over the years the number of visitors has increased, as have expectations and the project's reputation for excellence and innovation.
In Autumn 2003 NNEP was awarded a three year grant from Arts Council of England, East. This enabled a different curator to be selected for the project each year, each one bringing his/her own distinctive style and personality to the exhibition.
Year on year artists living and'or working in Norfolk have risen to the challenge of the project and produced thought-provoking work inspired by and reflecting the local built and natural environment. In the absence of a dedicated non-commercial gallery in North Norfolk, NNEP plays an invaluable role in the promotion of contemporary visual arts and is recognised as a key event on the region's arts and cultural calendar.
History
In 1999 an open meeting was convened by North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) in response to:
• North Norfolk's lack of cultural tourism despite its range of quality arts and strong historic heritage
• the unusually high concentration of artists of all disciplines living and/or practising in North Norfolk
• the limited opportunities for the presentation of the range and quality of work produced
• the strength of interest in the visual arts in the district as indicated by the level of support at existing local initiatives such as Norfolk Open Studios and Kelling Festival of Contemporary Arts
The purpose of this meeting was to:
• identify ways in which to develop opportunities for artists
• enhance the wider cultural life of the community of North Norfolk
This meeting concluded:
• the most immediate problem to be the lack of exhibition opportunities for contemporary visual artists
• to nominate a Working Group, acting on behalf of artists in the North Norfolk area, to address the problem with advice from NNDC
The Working Group became formally constituted as the North Norfolk Exhibition Project (NNEP) and comprised eight professional, practising artists (painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers and craftspeople) and the Arts Officer for North Norfolk District Council. The aims of NNEP were established:
• to identify new opportunities for the presentation of contemporary visual arts
• to launch innovative ideas and new directions for the contemporary visual arts
• to inspire, stimulate and raise the profile of the contemporary visual arts in North Norfolk
• to network and make links with artists, schemes and potential partners both within and outside the North Norfolk area
• to encourage and extend accessibility and inclusion for all sectors of the public for the visual arts in North Norfolk
In 2000 the Working Group agreed that the most appropriate way forward was to commission an independent feasibility study to:
• research alternative and innovative exhibition sites/venues for temporary
exhibitions (indoors and outdoors)
• assess the feasibility of using the identified sites/venues for exhibition purposes
• research and recommend appropriate display equipment
• advise on the setting up and structure of an artist-led organisation that could implement and manage future activities
• identify potential partnerships with the private and public sector, local
business and other appropriate individuals and organisations
• consult with relevant individuals and organisations in the North Norfolk area
• consider existing and appropriate schemes and networks in other parts of
the country
• produce a report to include recommendations for implementation
The research, funded by NNDC and Eastern Arts Board, was limited to the area of 373 square miles covered by North Norfolk District Council.
In response to this brief, The Jeni Walwin Report was published in September 2000. This report identified five locations within the area which met the criteria:
• Salthouse Church
• Bayfield Hall
• Corpusty Village Hall
• St John Ambulance Hall, Holt
• Paston Great Barn
In every case the immediate local community and responsible authorities had declared their support for the proposals. The Working Group recognised, however, that to commission all five sites as a single project would be over ambitious. In order to validate the findings of The Jeni Walwin Report, it was agreed that a pilot project, in the form of an exhibition and outreach programme, in one of the locations was the most appropriate way forward.
Salthouse Church was selected because:
• It offered excellent natural light and a magnificent natural setting
• the project was actively supported by the Parochial Church Council
• its recent National Lottery Heritage Grant was conditional on the use of the building for community arts events
• a kitchen plus disabled access and lavatory facilities were installed
• its location afforded adequate parking and a regular bus service running from the two nearest towns of Sheringham and Holt
• the building's interior was readily convertible to provide a suitable exhibition space
A Project Management Group was nominated from among those attending the original Arts Partnership Open Meeting and members of the Working Group.
The programme for the first project was agreed:
• a four week exhibition commencing in the last two weeks of the summer school term to encourage visits by local schools
• the theme for the pilot exhibition to be art and the environment
• a group show comprised of invited prominent Norfolk contemporary artists working in this field
• an artist in residence to work publicly each weekend during the exhibition
• four workshops aimed to encourage participation in the visual arts and directly related to the theme of the exhibition
• a complementary program of music and poetry events
• a project which offers opportunities to all elements of the local community and visitors to the region
And so, in the summer of 2001, the exhibition entitled down to earth was staged in Salthouse Church and the North Norfolk Exhibition Project was born.