‘No’ not an option for Incubation Arts

For a number of years Incubation Arts (I.A.) have have been working tirelessly to secure funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to buy Charles Roe House.

Their aim was to establish an arts and cultural centre that would make Macclesfield a more interesting and desirable town to visit.

With funding provided by Cheshire East Council and the assistance of consultants I.A. determined to include a permanent Joy Division exhibition – celebrating both the band’s link to the town – and their important position in the Manchester and world music scenes.

Unfortunately I.A. have recently learned their application for Heritage Lottery funding hasn’t been successful – having an impact on their chosen building.

As a consequence they’ve asked us to publish the following statement:

Incubation Arts, as a member of the Heritage & Cultural Partnership set up by Cheshire East, have worked hard with all the other members of the group. Unfortunately, the partnership has proved that, while it has enjoyed some successes, it has still some way to go to get the different arts and cultural organizations working together for the common good of all the people of Macclesfield.

Incubation Arts, having been so successful with arts and cultural exhibitions and events over the past three years, were dismayed to learn last month that the Heritage Lottery Fund had declined its application to support Incubation’s aims with Charles Roe House. The building is a significant Grade 11* town centre building on the corner of Chestergate and Churchill Way, as it was the home of Charles Roe, the 18^th century entrepreneur who was largely responsible for Macclesfield becoming the centre of the UK’s silk Industry at that time.

The vision for the building, provided by architect Dominic Williams.

Martin McMillan, the owner of Charles Roe House, has been extremely supportive of Incubation Arts over the last three years, and without his generosity in allowing the building to be used in this way, many of the projects, including the latest “Macclesfield Jews and World War 11” exhibition which was visited and enjoyed by a considerable number of people, many from other parts of the UK, could not have happened.

Sadly for Incubation Arts, Martin McMillan has recently been approached by a commercial buyer for the property and has reluctantly decided to accept the offer following the Heritage Lottery Fund’s decision not to support Incubation Arts.

Martin McMillan has indicated that he will continue to support Incubation Arts in their quest for an ‘Arts & Cultural Centre’ in Macclesfield, together with a permanent Joy Division exhibition. This is also supported by the former band management and band members, such as Stephen Morris and Peter Hook.

This continues to represent a key position and vision to further develop Macclesfield in becoming a ‘cultural destination’, and thus boosting the much-discussed local economy.

Incubation Arts regard this merely as a ‘set-back’, and one which does not seem to have acknowledged the considerable enthusiasm on behalf of the public for this project. Incubation has demonstrated its ability to provide a wide range of excellent exhibitions and creative workshops, enthusiastically received by the public, and has also offered an outstanding and valued venue which has celebrated the considerable achievements seen in the arts, education, local history and cultural sectors within our community.

Incubation Arts are now working on a strategy for a way forward. This will include fund raising activities to support the acquisition of a new venue and we hope that everyone and anyone with the ideas and expertise to develop this vision will assist us.

With your help Incubation Arts will be back!

For further information please contact: Incubation Arts 077823 12264.

www.incubationarts.org