The Community Making Space at SSW is a hub for our local community to learn and share skills in all forms of making. We work with local materials and the skills of people in the area, as well as with contemporary artists based locally, nationally and internationally – creating connections and change through making. Each seasonal programme is developed with our Community Advisors and is informed by the ideas and wants of local residents.
The current Summer Season 2024 can be found here.
All activities are free and food and refreshments are provided at each session. The Lumsden Community Fridge can also be accessed during session times.
To book please, fill in this online form, you can also call the SSW office on 10464 861 372 between 9:30 and 3:30 Tuesday to Friday.
To get in touch with us about the space and the programme contact Mara on communities@ssw.org.uk or pop in at 1 main Street or call on 01464 861 372.
History of the Community Making Space:
The Community Making Space was originally the village bakery shop front and until 2020 the SSW offices. Following building renovations led by Collective Architecture from 2021-2022 it is now set to host and support a wide range of collective making activities developed for and with local people.
Throughout 2023 the space ran a pilot programme for a broad range of ideas from the local community and groups. This test programme was called Lumbungsden* and was a collaborative project with artists Myvillages as part of their ongoing and multi-local Rural School of Economics. The Community Making Space has always been shaped by local interests and groups and the programme, look and future development of the space are decided on by everyone who wants to share creative ideas and activities with the wider community.
Myvillages describes the pilot programme title*Lumbungsden:
“Lumbungsden” merges “Lumsden” and “Lumbung” . “Lumbung” was the motto for the 2023 documenta, one of the most influential international art events that takes place every 5 years in Kassel, Germany. “Lumbung” is an Indonesian term and means “shared rice barn”. The word was introduced by the collective Ruangrupa, the curatorial team behind this documenta. Sharing art, community and food was very important, and we want to continue “Lumbung” by bringing the motto and ethos to Lumsden = Lumbungsden.
The Community Making Space renovations were supported:
Aberdeenshire Council
Bently Foundation
Creative Scotland
Hugh Fraser Foundation
Kildrummy Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund and Foundation Scotland
William Grant Foundation
William Syson Foundation
The pilot programme was supported by BE PART, co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.
The 2024 programme is supported by Creative Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council through Tackling Poverty & Inequality Funding and Marr Area Large Grants.
Find out more about our Capital development project and the Be Part Programme.
“Lumbungsden” merges “Lumsden” and “Lumbung” . “Lumbung” was the motto for the 2023 documenta, one of the most influential international art events that takes place every 5 years in Kassel, Germany. “Lumbung” is an Indonesian term and means “shared rice barn”. The word was introduced by the collective Ruangrupa, the curatorial team behind this documenta. Sharing art, community and food was very important, and we want to continue “Lumbung” by bringing the motto and ethos to Lumsden = Lumbungsden.
Thanks to our funders who support SSW, and have made the Community Making Space possible:
Aberdeenshire Council
Bently Foundation
Creative Scotland
Hugh Fraser Foundation
Kildrummy Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund and Foundation Scotland
William Grant Foundation
William Syson Foundation
The programme is supported by BE PART, co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. Find out more about our Capital development project and the Be Part Programme.
All photos by Felicity Crawshaw
