FROM SITUATION TO SITE- how we managed to convince EPRA to let three crazy art students into their buliding.

Installment 2: Anna and Steve...a little rant goes a long way.

I called EPRA on Tuesday the 12th August at 12:30pm. Didn't know what I was going to say or what they were going to say, but took a deep breath and dialled the number. I asked to speak to the public art officer, thought they might be more open to the idea and sympathetic to our cause. The lady I spoke to, Brooke, was nice and seemed interested but wasn't sure if it could happen. She said I would have to go through a sales person as they deal with leases and issues of insurance and liability (our major challenge). So I got tranferred to Steve (the first of many times) and we had our first dicussion.

I pitched the idea:
three fine art students, the old Arcan bookshop, three weeks, we go in do our thing, create a visually interesting space for the public to view, take it away, everyone happy.
Steve didn't sound too enthusiastic, but he didn't say no. 'send me a proposal, we'll go from there'
I was happy.

We got onto it straight away and spent Wednesday ranting, brainstorming and composing (see previous blog entry). We also found out that we would be covered by the university's insurance as long as the head of school approved the project. It was looking promising. We sent the proposal and waited patiently.......
2 weeks later we were sick of waiting, I called Steve.

'Everything should be fine' he said 'it's just the issue of insurance and liability...I'll send you a licence to occupy document.'
'Sure I'll sort it out' thanks Steve.

Right so now we needed th ok from Clarissa. We made an appointment, met with her, she said it was fine, called Grant (the insurance and liability officer at UWA) we need to clarify the facility access agreement.
'Sure, I'll sort it out' thanks Clarissa.

No news from Steve. I call. Sorry Steve's off sick today. I call again. Sorry not at his desk at the moment'. I call again.
'Hi Steve, it's Anna' silence....sign.....I've been busy......sigh. Time for a (friendly) rant.
'Look Steve...spaces just sitting empty...dead..EPRA makes claims of making city vibrant, dynamic, fostering culture and the arts...you should be supporting young people...interested in establishing art community...usually pay artists to come in and make city interesting...we're making it easy and simple.....this doesn't need to be complicated....enthusiastic about activating the space, creating something visually interesting and engaging...rant...rant...rant.

2 hours later recieve licence to occupy document....breakthrough.