The Margate School is under threat of closure after recent funding bids failed to come to fruition.
The independent art school is one of Margate’s largest creative communities with nine staff, 25 students, 17 tutors, 12 fellows, 42 studio holders, and a number of volunteers who are in danger of being displaced by the end of January.
Courses are suspended with immediate effect and if TMS cannot raise the necessary funds this month, then it will not be able to restart the courses and will begin the process of winding down all provisions over the coming months.
This would result in the loss of jobs and livelihoods and also a hub for innovation and creativity in Margate. It would also see the Woolworths building, which is such a feature of the High Street, empty once again.
The Margate School is currently speaking with funders, partners, and Thanet council to find an urgent solution. It is seeking a minimum of £50,000 in additional funding to stabilise, continue current teaching provision, and make future plans.
Since December 2018, The Margate School, established by founder Uwe Derksen, has played a prominent role in the redevelopment of Margate High Street and the town, attracting the interest of new students, staff, artists, fellows, small businesses, and visitors to Margate High Street.
From the initial crew of three people, the School has grown rapidly into a community of 100 creative practitioners, attracting some 16,000 visitors to exhibitions, talks, and events annually. It is the only higher education provider for the arts in Thanet and has successfully provided the only creative apprenticeship in Margate.
The School has also supported numerous art professionals through residencies, created a community and sculpture garden, raised £4,000 for Ukraine, trained staff to support community members with mental health challenges, and much more.
In late 2018, with the announcement of a successful Coastal Community Fund (CCF) application, The Margate School had its first breakthrough. The concept was to develop a creative not-for-profit provision, with technical facilities and support for people from all backgrounds.
Uwe Derksen, previously of the University for the Creative Arts, British Design Innovation, and South East Design Forum, established TMS as “a revolutionary and alternative, independent, liberal-arts school”.
The School’s investment into the building created 42 new studio spaces, alongside a FabLab (Fabrication Laboratory) and MakerSpace with state-of-the-art facilities, two darkrooms, a sound auditorium, and a screening and gallery space and offering affordable postgraduate arts courses
The Margate School is now gathering evidence of support for the School to share with funders and also wants to make contact with individuals or organisations who can help using this form.
A fundraising appeal may be launched.
A statement from TMS said: “We are looking for a minimum of £50,000 to stabilise, continue our provision and to make future plans..
“We want to recognise the time, talents and hard work of all our brilliant staff, tutors, students, studio holders and supporters so far. With the right financial support now we’re confident we can continue to grow our impact and secure the future of The Margate School for this community.
“We are on the brink, we can be saved, but time is running out.”
Margate councillor Rob Yates said: “The Margate School is a bedrock of creative culture for the local area, it has brought in artwork and knowledge from across the world and is key in providing high level education.
“I would like to thank Uwe Derksen, Arnold Schwartzman OBE and the Margate School Team for their work on the school and for continuing to fight to keep it open.
“I would ask as many people as possible to complete the feedback form to show what The Margate School means to you in the hope that the school and the education courses can be kept.”
