New ‘makers’ space opens in town centre
An exciting new ‘makers’ space has opened in the heart of our town centre, offering local people a place to unleash their creativity.
Chesterfield Champions, Junction Arts is one of the UK’s longest-established community arts charities, and has taken over a previously disused building on Station Road, transforming it into a dynamic hub featuring studios, workshops, and collaborative work areas for creators, makers, and innovators.
Sections of the building are being sublet to local artists and creative businesses, helping to establish a thriving space where their work can flourish.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said:
“We’re delighted to see this disused building brought back into use in such a positive and creative way. The site is now becoming a home for creative businesses, aligning with the council’s vision to expand the area’s growing creative sector.
“Junction Arts has a long and proud history of working with local communities, and this new space will give residents even more opportunities to learn new skills, collaborate, and express themselves.”
Junction Arts Managing Director, Emily Bowman, said:
“The new space has given us an amazing opportunity to bring together the town’s vibrant creative community, fostering collaboration, co-creation and shared growth. The scale and potential of the new building will allow us to support and strengthen the existing community, while inspiring the next generation of artists and creative businesses.
“This opportunity comes at a particularly significant moment for Junction Arts as we celebrate our 50th anniversary and reflect on the powerful role the arts play in shaping strong, connected communities. Over the next few years, we will develop the space as a hub for creativity, offering workshops and meeting facilities for the arts community and beyond.
“We are excited to begin this next chapter and look forward to welcoming more people to be part of this creative space.”
Current artists and creative businesses that have moved into the building with Junction Arts include writer Annie Littlewood, Sombrero Printmaking, Guitar Technician and Luthier Chris Sheldon, 13 Bends Design, community artist Lucie Maycock, weaver Anna Piper, Growth Activities, Defeye Creative, S40 and S41 Magazine, musician Neil Piper and Kakou Technologies.
Junction Arts is a charity and National Portfolio Organisation, supported using public funding by Arts Council England. To find out more, visit: junctionarts.org
Junction Arts is one of over 200 local champions helping to promote Chesterfield as a place to work, learn, and visit. For more information, visit: www.chesterfield.co.uk/destination-chesterfield/champions/
