VOID

In October 2006 following an evaluation of the function of the café/reception space and the possibility of a purpose built community area as part of the expansion programme, Void decided to pilot the area as a rentable Community Space. The inclusion of a Community Gallery at Void enables community groups to have a specific venue to showcase their work. The ethos of Void is to increase accessibility to the arts. By creating a Community Space within Void we have created a recognised space that has artistic kudos for community groups. At present there is no other designated community gallery space in Derry. In the future, as part of the expansion programme Void will create a purpose built space specifically dedicated to celebrating the diverse work of community groups in the Derry City Council area.

Void’s programme of artists’ talks/discussions that take place at the opening of each exhibition aim to increase accessibility. With the addition of a Community Gallery, a new audience is targeted thus amplifying community inclusion. Since launching the café/reception area as a pilot community space the following groups and individuals have used it as an exhibition and performance space:

• Jay Doherty Photographic Exhibition
• The Live-On Charity
• Headliners Global Eye Project
• Calms (Community Action for Locally Managing Stress)
• Derry Children’s Commission ‘Seen and Heard Project’ and Inside Out Project
• The City of Derry Jazz Festival
• Tyrone Patterson as part of The Commissioned Visual Art Award in conjunction with NWIFHE
• The Rainbow Project
• The Art of Survival (International and Irish Quilts) Derry City Council Heritage and Museum Service
• Donnie Browne

The re-thinking of this space has proved vital in improving income generation whilst also directly addressing issues of social inclusion and audience development. Void have always strived to address notions of art being perceived as elitist, the utilisation of this space as a community area has succeeded in introducing a section of the community who previously were not aware that Void existed.