A PROJECT supporting creative businesses has launched a brand new website.
Liskeard’s ‘Market Makers’ project was established two months ago and is part of a major regeneration plan for the town.
Run by Liskeard Town Council, the scheme received £50,000 from the European Social Fund, and £318, 500 from the European Regional Development Fund, secured with the help of Community Led Local Development and matched by Cornwall Council.
‘Market Makers’ aims to showcase and promote Liskeard’s thriving arts and crafts community. The project team is currently running mentoring schemes, both for start-ups and for more established arts businesses. The construction of a specialist studio facility is also in progress, and is due to open later this year on the Old Cattle Market site.
The team is also rolling out a series of courses in crafting skills, and these are aimed at Liskeard residents not currently in work, in order to cultivate a new generation of artists and craftspeople in the town.
The new website includes full details of these courses and mentoring programs, together with profiles of the ‘Market Makers’ themselves – including printmakers and designers, creators of soft furnishings, makers of theatrical puppets and cuddly toys, and artists who work in watercolours, oils, textile, ceramic, glass, and multimedia.
“We’re here to support the development of local creative enterprises and also to help to enhance the skills and prospects of local people,” said Alec Charles, manager of the ‘Market Makers’ project.
“There are opportunities for absolute beginners to develop new crafts skills and, potentially, to go on to set up their own businesses.”
You can visit the new website at www.marketmakers.org.uk