In May 2019 TAAG was offered the option to buy its home – the old Swanson’s Garage in Northumberland Place. Our doors shut in January 2020 with the expectation that we would reopen in a matter of months. We all know what happened next, but now we are delighted to announce that the TAAG building has been purchased for the benefit of the community, assuring its future for generations to come.
During the last 18 months a lot has been going on behind the scenes, with building works to separate us from the Brunswick area development,TAAG becoming a Charity (CIO), and fund raising to obtain the £116,000 purchase price through donations from the public, local organisations and a crowdfunding appeal.
Crowdfunding has also attracted some match-funding which allowed us to meet ancillary costs and some essential building works such as removing asbestos, and reinstating toilets and a kitchen. This will allow the ground floor to become operational while we tackle the huge job of raising funds to renovate the two upper floors and the rest of the building.
The TAAG trustees have been overwhelmed with the support we have received during this very turbulent year and are very happy to be able to be the purveyors of a good news story. We have a lot of work left to do but are very optimistic that we can now make TAAG better than ever and an important asset to Teignmouth, the arts, and the community.
We have had some very generous donations from private individuals that wish to remain anonymous, but they know who they are, and we are very grateful for their support. We are also grateful to the Architectural Heritage Fund for their assistance and to Devon County Council and Teignbridge District Council for their match-funding contributions.
Thanks also to our local Teignmouth, Teignbridge and Devon Councillors that have contributed to the ground floor building works. Many individuals have also helped with donations, including the provision of a staircase that will provide a safe, temporary access to the first floor, which is currently only reachable by ladder.
The future is now bright as we now have the security of ownership and are able to implement our long-term strategy focused on improvement and developing the upper floors. TAAG has always been an organisation that promotes the Community and the Arts and has only evolved with the help of volunteers and its users.
The purchase of the building is a milestone and the beginning of a much longer journey. We want interested parties to help shape its future by getting involved - so please contact us to volunteer.
We need input from all ages and cultures, as well as a skill base that will keep TAAG functioning and help build a good foundation for future generations. Diversity is one of TAAG’s strengths, so if you are excited by the idea of being involved in shaping TAAG’s future, are interested in promoting Community Arts, or creatively like to mix up different genres - such as visual art, performance, music, poetry, environmental issues to name a few – just email us at info@teignmoutharts.org.
Watch out for the reopening of TAAG as soon as we can.
