Islington Mill

Islington Mill is a former cotton spinning mill in Salford, very close to Manchester’s city centre. Home to over 50 artists studios, a gallery space, a B&B and a club space, it’s one of the few creative spaces in Salford, and has evolved over eleven years to become the cultural haven that it is now.

“Islington Mill has become the creative hub of a minor cultural renaissance.” – Luke Bainbridge, Guardian

It all started when Bill Campbell, returned home to Salford after studying fashion at Central St Martin’s. He found an abandoned mill opposite his council flat and subsequently saved, begged and borrowed to buy the place in 2001 and begun the mammoth task of converting the space into floor upon floor of artist studios. Artists came in, created new work and did site specific shows, the likes of Susie MacMurray’s Stratum were the result. Bill also converted The Engine House at Islington Mill into a live/work home, (see Elle Decoration Sept 03) that later became the home of the Ting Tings and saw them launch their career from under its roof.

Islington Mill is now run by two different organizations. Islington Mill Arts Club which programmes the public events of the buildings and Islington Mill Studios which manages and co-ordinates the accommodation housed at the Mill, including 50+ artist studios, a Bed & Breakfast that sleeps 10 and two residential apartments. Read below for more information about each of these organizations and their various spaces.

ISLINGTON MILL STUDIOS

The Studio spaces are made up of a series of different sized rooms which all house multidisciplinary artists with people practicing everything from ceramics, fine painting, jewellery making, costume making, illustration, web design and music syncing. The spaces are very popular, reflecting the vibrant feel of the building and tend to have an average of a 6 month waiting list. To see a list of our current tenants check out our Directory.

Bed & Breakfast

With two double bedrooms and a dormitory room sleeping six the B&B can house a maximum of ten at any one time. Each room has ensuite facilities and there is a communal kitchen and dining area for guests to share. The B&B predominantly houses bands and artists visiting the city but is also more than accommodating to members of the public that are just looking for something different. Recent guests have included Billy Childish, David Medalla, and Roger Cardinal and musical stars Earth, Salem and Group Doueh. Housed in the midst of Islington Mill artist’s studios, the B&B provides a lively and alternative introduction to the city. If you are interested in booking a room please contact Morry: Maurice.Carlin@islingtonmill.com

ISLINGTON MILL ARTS CLUB

The Club Space was born from the hosting of a series of informal parties from 2005 including the rebirth of Club Brenda and the first Sounds from the Other City events, set up by brothers Mark & Maurice Carlin, who are also directors of Islington Mill Arts Club.   From 2006 Islington Mill began running a full music programme in its then adhoc venue space utilising temporary events notices before becoming a fully licenced space in late 2008.

In 2010, with the aid of Salford City Council and the Arts Council England, Islington Mill refurbished its ground floor spaces allowing for a more integrated gallery space and a club space that boast one of the best sound systems in one of Greater Manchester’s most unique and atmospheric spaces In the past 5 years we have hosted the likes of:

Beach House, Everything Everything, Hot Chip, Elbow, Delphic, Salem, Ariel Pink, The Ting Tings, Sun Araw, SunnO))), No Age, Austra, Grimes, Death Grips, Lightning Bolt, Mount Kimbie, Shangaan Electro, Alt J, Wu Lyf, Screaming Females, Savages, Boris, John Maus, Mike Huckaby & Andy Stott.

GALLERY SPACE

Firstly run by Bureau Gallery the Gallery Space was created as part of the Arts Club on the ground floor in 2008. Since the refurbishment in 2010 the Gallery space is now a lot more accessible and has hosted numerous exhibitions. From residencies with David Wojtowycz & Alison Ward to performance art collectives CHERYL and Volkov Commanders. As well as hosting exhibitions by Dynamic Death Party, Sonny Smith, Jim Giles & Roshana Rubin Mayhew.

OTHER PROJECTS RUNNING FROM ISLINGTON MILL

Art Academy

Islington Mill Art Academy is a free self-organised art school based in Manchester, UK. It was set up in 2007 by a group of art foundation students, dissatisfied with the quality and standards in University fine art courses open to them at that time. The Academy exists to experiment with what an education in art can be, where it can take place and how it can be paid for. It is open to anyone who would like to be an artist and who is interested in taking responsibility for, and direction of the way in which they intend to do this. The artists in the group take all of the decisions related to their personal learning process and put these decisions into practice themselves. The group invites visiting artists to talk about their work and to give feedback on the work of artists from the Academy on a regular basis. Academy artists organise residencies and research trips to other parts of the UK and abroad for all members of the group having visited Glasgow, Bristol and Sheffield and held residencies in Berlin and the Lake District. Get in touch if you would like to be involved: artacademy@islingtonmill.com

Sounds from the Other City

Beginning in 2006 by brothers Maurice and Mark Carlin, this festival takes place every may day bank holiday as a celebration of new and exciting music and contemporary art. Starting from humble beginnings this year saw the festival set its heights hosting over 80 acts across 14 venues. The Festival is always working to challenge and change the audiences perception of the way in which a festival works. Working with local independent promoters the festival boasts a wide genre’d event that attracts a varied audience. www.soundsfromtheothercity.com

Also keep an eye on our blogs:

Visual Art: http://ismillarts.tumblr.com/

Musings: http://islingtonmill.tumblr.com