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Linking Communities to the Stars
Steps to the Stars - how to actualise a StarDisc for your community
StarDisc is a commissionable public space which we would love to see connecting communities across the land. This is a brief guide on some of the steps you can take to get a StarDisc installed in your community. The StarDisc Trust, and this website, are dedicated to supporting communities achieve a StarDisc and associated benefits, for private installations visit: www.stardisc.co.uk
■ Contact us through info@stardisc.org to register your interest.
■ Identify potential site/s.
■ Begin by sending this website to your existing contacts, local and regional councillors, and relevant Community Groups, to generate and gauge interest. Make the case by sharing StarDisc's Themes and Benefits https://www.stardisc.org/themes--benefits.html
■ Conduct a social media Community Consultation Campaign by launching a local StarDisc Facebook page and attend local events to invite feedback.
■ Invite the support of local/regional groups and organisations e.g. astronomy, uniform groups, schools, performing arts companies, wellbeing groups – ask them to write letters of support.
■ Invite local Press/Media coverage.
Begin to consider potential funding sources (support with wording for funding applications is available from the StarDisc Trust).
- Discuss opportunities with local Councillors
- Speak to your local Voluntary Sector support organisation*
- Use free to use funding searches such as Get Grants www.getgrants.org.uk and Charity Excellence Framework www.charityexcellence.co.uk
Identify an existing appropriate local Community Group to advance the proposal and lead on fundraising. If this is not possible, establish a dedicated StarDisc Community Group with a constitution and project bank account. Your local Voluntary Service support organisation* can help with this.
■ Request an Installation Guide from us, and acquire three separate quotes from local/regional building contractors for on-site work - the cost of a full-scale (Macro) StarDisc delivered to site is £155,000 plus Vat - this price does not include installation.
■ Create a project budget which includes projected income/expenditure with 10% contingency (support is available from the artist).
■ Book a 'Pre-planning' consultation with your local planning department.
■ Prepare and submit planning application (support is available from the artist).
■ Invite local council and businesses to make a contribution and establish an aligned crowdfunding campaign page – this can really help to help kick-start fundraising efforts or meet any funding shortfall at the end.
■ When your funding target is reached, commission StarDisc via the artist, allowing eight months for production.
■ Commission local building contractors to install.
■ Contact us through info@stardisc.org to register your interest.
■ Identify potential site/s.
■ Begin by sending this website to your existing contacts, local and regional councillors, and relevant Community Groups, to generate and gauge interest. Make the case by sharing StarDisc's Themes and Benefits https://www.stardisc.org/themes--benefits.html
■ Conduct a social media Community Consultation Campaign by launching a local StarDisc Facebook page and attend local events to invite feedback.
■ Invite the support of local/regional groups and organisations e.g. astronomy, uniform groups, schools, performing arts companies, wellbeing groups – ask them to write letters of support.
■ Invite local Press/Media coverage.
Begin to consider potential funding sources (support with wording for funding applications is available from the StarDisc Trust).
- Discuss opportunities with local Councillors
- Speak to your local Voluntary Sector support organisation*
- Use free to use funding searches such as Get Grants www.getgrants.org.uk and Charity Excellence Framework www.charityexcellence.co.uk
Identify an existing appropriate local Community Group to advance the proposal and lead on fundraising. If this is not possible, establish a dedicated StarDisc Community Group with a constitution and project bank account. Your local Voluntary Service support organisation* can help with this.
■ Request an Installation Guide from us, and acquire three separate quotes from local/regional building contractors for on-site work - the cost of a full-scale (Macro) StarDisc delivered to site is £155,000 plus Vat - this price does not include installation.
■ Create a project budget which includes projected income/expenditure with 10% contingency (support is available from the artist).
■ Book a 'Pre-planning' consultation with your local planning department.
■ Prepare and submit planning application (support is available from the artist).
■ Invite local council and businesses to make a contribution and establish an aligned crowdfunding campaign page – this can really help to help kick-start fundraising efforts or meet any funding shortfall at the end.
■ When your funding target is reached, commission StarDisc via the artist, allowing eight months for production.
■ Commission local building contractors to install.
* Find your local voluntary sector support organisation:
England: |
NAVCA - navca.org.uk |
Wales: |
WCVA - wcva.cymru |
Scotland: |
Voluntary Action Scotland - vascotland.org |
Northern Ireland: |
NICVA - www.nicva.org |
Where funding and land limitations prevail, there are a variety adaptable options:
Our vision to leave an enduring legacy for future generations:
StarDisc Wirksworth is embraced by the local community and the thousands of visitors it attracts. Our vision is to spread its unique benefits throughout the UK and beyond.
StarDisc in Wirksworth has had a transformative effect on peoples’ relationships with outdoor spaces, the night sky, and with their community. It has provided a focus for events and gatherings, for wonder and engagement. The vision to spread this impact across the United Kingdom is to be applauded and is genuinely worthy of support. I am certain that the StarDisc Array will make a positive contribution across the land, bringing together people of different disciplines and outlooks, to wonder at the natural world and worlds beyond our own and to learn and celebrate together in numerous ways. |
The StarDisc Array:
Aidan Shingler, The StarDisc Trust, and supporters, aspire to establish The StarDisc Array - an earthbound constellation of StarDiscs replicating the success of the first one in Wirksworth, Derbyshire Dales. The StarDisc Array will form a series of visionary interactive public art installations and will deliver significant social, economic and community benefits. Each new StarDisc will celebrate diversity and creativity, promote inclusion, and foster cohesion in communities.
The vision for the StarDisc Array is that it will endure both physically and through its civic value for generations to come as a beacon of inspirational artistic excellence and example of enterprising community endeavor.
The StarDisc Array is a torch bearer for the union of art, science, and spirituality.
The vision for the StarDisc Array is that it will endure both physically and through its civic value for generations to come as a beacon of inspirational artistic excellence and example of enterprising community endeavor.
The StarDisc Array is a torch bearer for the union of art, science, and spirituality.
StarDisc is a special and magical place and I firmly believe that more locations across the UK through the StarDisc Array would be of great benefit to many communities. |
Star Seekers Way:
Every new StarDisc will be linked via a mapped route to create Star Seekers Way; this stellar trail will promote astrotourism, leading visitors to embark upon a journey of discovery to each StarDisc and its corresponding locality via existing sites of artistic, scientific, and spiritual significance.
The StarDisc Array and Star Seekers Way will contribute to our creative and artistic heritage, and leave an enduring cultural legacy for the nations.
The StarDisc Array and Star Seekers Way will contribute to our creative and artistic heritage, and leave an enduring cultural legacy for the nations.