From Key Arts

Key Arts - The artist run space in Ipswich Key Arts is an artist-led space, at the moment based at St Mary at the Quay, Key Street, Ipswich, in the heart of the exciting dockside development. St Mary's is a large, beautiful and crumbling disused old church. The subtle hues and surprising chalky pinks of the walls have changed and softened over the years giving a warmth and new identity to this possibly austere empty building. In the day the light pours in through the windows, at dusk it is full of shadows and moods. We have no lighting and only a few power points so in the night the church can only be dimly lit, making it an exciting experience just to be there: this limitation makes it a fantastic place to show film and projections. Installations change and grow with the daylight. You can find out more about its fascinating history on http://www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/stmaryatquay.htm

Key Arts is supported by The Churches Conservation Trust, Ipswich Borough Council and, of course, its membership. Our aim is to assist artists who live in the local area of Ipswich and the region in their work, providing a much needed space where artists can meet and exchange ideas through exhibitions, events and talks. It is a place where artists and the community can come together - sharing in the creative opportunity that Key Arts offers.

We are an artist-led group. That means contributors who want to influence our activities, or lead new ones, are invited to make their suggestions. Our Members include painters, printers and film makers, as well as installation artists, photographic artists and sculptors, all at different stages in their creative careers, from students and recent graduates to college lecturers and professional artists.

Read the Key Arts FAQ if you are new to Key Arts and want to catch up with what we are about.

2010 Events

Click here to see details of future events at Key Arts

Past Events

For a review of previous events in 2006-09 see the Past Events page.

Click here to see new images from Juliet Holton's Pulse Fringe Festival residency in June 2009

Click here for the facebook page of Masked Ball memories and pictures

Members Online

As a Member of Key Arts you can use this site to create a page for yourself, tell people about your work and show images of your work. Have a look at some of our artist profiles or add your own here

Join Key Arts

If you like what you see and want to get involved, the best way is to become a Member. The concessionary membership costs just £10 for the year and only £15 for everyone else. Simply click here and print the form. Click here for more information

Hold your own event or exhibition

Do you have an idea for using the space at Key Arts? If you are a Member you can make a proposal to run an event or exhibition. We are open to suggestions. You can print off a form here or contact us at keyarts@hotmail.co.uk. Click here for a plan of the church (pdf).

We are now receiving proposals to use the space in 2010. There are still spaces in the schedule so take advantage of this unique opportunity! You will need to set up, take down and man your show but support is available from the organising committee.

If you are running an event at Key Arts click here for some publicity tips.

These are the responsibilities for artists using the space.

Sponsorship for 2010