Information
History
Although Locus+ was formally established in April 1993 it was preceded by the Basement Group (1979-1983) and the first office-based visual arts organisation in the UK, Projects UK (1983-1992)
The Locus+ Archive (incorporating material from the Basement Group and Projects UK) hosted at the University of Sunderland currently has two PhD posts affiliated to it and is the largest archive of time-based work in Europe. It forms a comprehensive historical overview of contemporary art practice from the '70s to the present, covering artists' projects from a variety of British and international contexts.
From Another Time, Place and Context: A text by Peter Davies (PDF, 82 kb)
The Basement Group (1979-1983)
The Basement Group were: John Adams, Jon Bewley, Ken Gill, Richard Grayson, John Kippin and Belinda Williams. Between February 1979 and November 1983 The Basement Group programmed over 230 events mainly at the Basement, Bells Court, Newcastle upon Tyne.
The Basement, Bells Court, Pilgrim Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, c. 1980
Projects UK (1983-1992)
Projects UK was founded in March 1983 by John Bewley and Ken Gill. Up to November 1983 The Basement Group and Projects UK operated concurrently. Simon Herbert joined the organisation in 1985. John Bewley left in 1988; the organisation closed in May 1992.
Locus+ (1993-present)
Locus+ was established in April 1993 by Jon Bewley and Simon Herbert. After working as a freelance Project Manager since the start Jonty Tarbuck joined the organisation on a full-time basis in 2000. Simon Herbert left in 2002.
