Vanessa Swann was appointed chief executive, Cockpit Arts in 2002, and since then she has transformed the organisation from a managed workspace to a creative business incubator. In June she launches a new campaign to support designer-makers.
How did Cockpit Arts come about, what does it do and what is the origin of the name?
Our Holborn incubator is located in Cockpit Yard, WC1, which is the site of a former 18th century cock fighting pit frequented by nobility and at one time owned by a cabinetmaker. Cockpit has grown from its small beginnings in the late 80s as a volunteer-run initiative, involving just a few designer-makers, to become the UK’s only creative business incubator for designer-makers. There has always been an informal cross-fertilisation of skills, contacts and ideas in the (mostly) shared studios, but today we offer a package of services to help designer-makers grow successful businesses. Presently there are 165 businesses across the two sites, including a healthy mix of start up businesses, second career designers and established businesses seeking to move to the next stage of growth. We provide them with affordable studio space, intensive in-house business development support, a rolling programme of workshops and seminars, and access to finance schemes and selling and promotional opportunities, as well as office and IT facilities.
What is “Maker Difference”?
Our new campaign to raise awareness of, and encourage support for, UK designer-makers. We want to spread the word that buying beautifully crafted work is a sustainable alternative to throwaway shopping culture and can even have investment potential. Most importantly, it is also hugely satisfying and can be great fun. To get people involved, starting from June 12 we will be running lively open studios events. Visitors can see behind the scenes and meet designer-makers and there will be special attractions such as tours, screenings, activities for children and adults and pop-up cafes. There are more events to come later in the year as well as lots of great online content at www.cockpitarts.com.
