September 2021 — Jan 2023
We Have The MEANS
Our ambitious new initiative to let people lead and make live events, artworks and experiences where they live.
We are creating 6 exciting real world projects celebrating Macclesfield and its people. Working with local people, businesses and organisations to share skills, gain experiences and create opportunities.
Current Project: SILK ROAD CELEBRATION
Sign up to join our free creative sessions and be part of the team making amazing things happen!

Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England
We have the MEANS
People Powered
We will bring people together to form teams and work on real-world projects across their town. Participants will gain practical making skills to be stakeholders designing the local “experience” economy (including in a Covid-secure way). Planning, organising, promoting and building their own experiences: artworks, performances, games. The initiative will culminate in an arcade to showcasing the town’s talents and celebrating community-made culture.
How it Works
Sharing Resources
Resources will be reused in each new project, and video tutorials will share and recycle knowledge. Our aim is to snowball – With each workshop series and project building on the skills, resources and knowledge from the project before and utilising community skills. Each will be a catalyst for creative exploration based on open themes that celebrate the town and its people, with participants designing, making and then sharing with others. We aim to involve more participants, develop their ideas, find new opportunities and increase confidence.
Our Crew

We are IDST!
*IDST! are a group of makers, artists, techies and experimenters working together to make community artworks.
* Creating artworks, performances, games and events that are playful, purposeful and people powered and celebrate community strength.
*Collaborating with others, training and running experiments, workshops and projects so people can learn and get involved and communities can own their ideas.