Arts Council England has released details of the 20 project proposals that have been successful in the first stage of the second round of its large capital programme (grants over £500,000), and the 35 projects awarded funding in the small capital grant programme (£100,000 to £499,999). Among the successful applicants are a number of visual arts and craft/maker projects.
Large capital grants programme
To date, ACE has invested a £61,357,795 across 15 large capital projects with the view to distributing a total £214.6 million for the period 2012-15, over three funding rounds. Included in the latest round are:
SPACE Studios: £1,266,175 in order to bring four core buildings within its estate up to standard whilst helping to reduce on-going maintenance needs, retain and diversify artist tenants and reduce energy costs.
National Glass Centre: £750,000 to refurbish and remodel the existing premises, opening up the existing layout to provide better navigation around the building and more flexible gallery space. This will support the centre to deliver a richer programme of exhibitions and displays, benefitting artists and increasing visits.
High House Production Park: £1 million to develop, in partnership with Acme Studios, more than 40 new affordable artist studios, on the Production Park site in Purfleet, Thurrock.
Stroud Valley Artspace: £510,000 towards the final refurbishment phase of its existing building including a new, street-facing exhibition space and refurbished open-plan studios and new media training equipment.
The Art House: £1,533,544 to create 33 new accessible spaces through the conversion and refurbishment of the adjoining Drury Lane Library, reconfiguring the current building to accommodate all artists and user groups. Anne Cunningham, CEO of the Art House said: “Arts Council England is vital to the support The Art House provides for disabled and non-disabled artists, including the contribution we make to the visual arts in Wakefield District.”
York Museums Trust: £3,500,000 for the refurbishment of York Art Gallery to provide increased display space for contemporary work including establishing the Centre of British Studio Ceramics. The expanded gallery will have increased capacity to welcome more visitors to a greater range of exhibitions and content.
Small capital grants programme
As part of first round of the small capital grants programme, 35 projects have been awarded grants of between £100,000 and £499,999. A total of £11,699,523 funding has been awarded out of the £20 million for small grants.
Among the recipients is Project Space Leeds, which has been awarded £225,500 to support the conversion of the Tetley Building in Leeds into a contemporary visual arts hub by Project Space Leeds and Carlsberg UK. Arts Council funding will specifically go towards the creation of high-quality showing, learning and resource spaces and community facilities within the building. Other organisations receiving funding include:
Southend-On-Sea Borough Council: £498,959 to enhance and upgrade the new Focal Point Gallery, set to open in September 2013. The proposed work includes artist commissions.
Bermondsey Artists’ Group: £120,054 to address the operational requirements of contemporary art venue, Dilston Grove, and the introduction of new windows and a bespoke black-out system will also complete the renovation of the venue.
Firstsite: £499,999 to regenerate the Old Police Station, a Grade II listed building in Colchester, creating spaces for established creative enterprises, artists and start-ups.
South London Gallery: £130,000 to improve its buildings and infrastructure to strengthen the organisation’s financial sustainability, operational resilience, environmental footprint and quality of visitor experience. Planned works will comprise energy-saving efficiencies, urgent repairs, refurbishments, garden improvements and café fittings.
Bow Arts Trust: £320,000 towards a roof renewal and improvements to the Nunnery Gallery. This project will also see the reclamation of underused spaces for public and artistic use to create further opportunities for generating new income streams.
Ikon Gallery: £457,387 to replace, repair and modernise parts of its Grade II-listed building.
The Courtyard Centre for Arts: £314,400 for the installation of new technical equipment, the refurbishment of public areas and artistic spaces and improvements which will help The Courtyard reduce its long-term carbon footprint.
More information on all the projects at www.artscouncil.org.uk/news/arts-council-news/capital-grants-successful-applicants/
