Blog

18 months in South Abingdon

Building capacity and community connections together through creativity. In March 2023, we officially launched the South Abingdon arts and culture project. It was developed in partnership with the local council, and the aim was to build the capacity of local artists and expand creative opportunities in South Abingdon.  This ongoing regenerative arts project celebrates and supports local […]

Read more

We did it! Now it’s time to take George Street to the next level…

The news this week is all about George Street. On 15 October, at a planning committee meeting, Oxford City Council approved the plans for redeveloping 38-40 George Street. This is a major milestone for us at Makespace. George Street offers us our first opportunity to unlock a long-term purpose built civic space after years (and continuing work) […]

Read more

Resident spotlight: Katie Herring, Tribe Zero-Waste

Katie Herring, founder of Tribe Zero-Waste, opened the doors of her first brick-and-mortar shop in Faringdon two years ago. Since then she has gone from being the single operator of her business to having four part time staff. As she prepares to graduate from the Makespace community and move into a larger space nearby, we caught up […]

Read more

Project Update: Creating a Civic Space on George Street

Last year, you celebrated with us as we announced the news of our first ever long-term space, within the wider redevelopment of 38-40 George Street in Oxford’s city centre.  Now, we’re here to update you on our once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a new civic space for communities living and working in the city. We’ve been actively engaging […]

Read more

Coming soon: Makespace Resident Portal

Have you ever wondered who exactly occupies the multiple Makespace buildings across Oxfordshire? With over 200 residents breathing new life into them over the past six years, you’d be forgiven for not keeping track. But all of that is about to change… Launching next month, the Resident Portal is a digital ecosystem designed to showcase the brilliant, […]

Read more

NSEAD: Makespace Oxford South Abingdon Arts & Culture Project

 National Society for Education in Art and Design Blog Dionne Freeman, Arts Manager at Makespace Oxford, explores The Abingdon Arts & Culture Project, a regenerative arts project designed to unlock the skills and knowledge of local residents and community groups. The South Abingdon Arts and Culture Project offers an alternative approach to how space can be used to unlock […]

Read more

Makespace Oxford x Stir to Action

Wide format view of four people sat on stage at the end of a large hall with seated audience on either side

Earlier this month our friends at Stir to Action hosted their debut festival The ABCs of the New Economy at the Arts Mansion in Bristol. We were delighted to be a part of it. This two-day interactive event centred around the theme ‘Battling for the Ownership of the UK’s New Social Infrastructure’ and brought together hundreds of […]

Read more

Unlocking Space for an Inclusive Economy

Lessons from the ‘Meanwhile in Oxfordshire…’programme Last month we dipped our fingers into our first ever session at this year’s Marmalade Festival – a week of events centred on social change and collaboration. It was an opportunity to invite those that shared and supported our journey through the ‘Meanwhile in Oxfordshire…‘ programme, as well as those wanting […]

Read more