|
|
PLAYING OUT LOUD!
NEWS
TOWER ARTS CENTRE, WINCHESTER
The future of this fine venue has been decided. We repeat below a statement
which appears on The Tower website:
Kings’ School and County Council agree a Tower deal
07/12/2007 12:00:00
The running of one of Winchester's cultural venues, the Tower Arts Centre, is to
be transferred to Kings’ School by Hampshire County Council. The Council is also
committing £75,000 over the next three years to develop a mixed evening
programme of performing arts at the Tower and other venues across the city.
The decision made by Council Leader Ken Thornber today unites support for the
Tower from Hampshire County Council, Winchester City Council, the University of
Winchester and Kings’ School. It aims to secure a sustainable future for the
Tower while developing programming that exploits the potential of all venues in
the city.
Kings’ School, which manages an £8 million educational budget, has 150 staff and
was judged 'outstanding' in its last Ofsted inspection, will take over the day
to day running and management of the Tower from April 2008.
Greater use in twilight hours
 All of the
day-time arts classes will continue, including use by the Blue Apple Theatre
Company and the Saturday youth theatre, and the School's plans include greater
use in the twilight time after school hours by children from Kings’ and other
schools in Winchester
In addition, a joint venture backed by £25,000 per year from Hampshire County
Council, matched by Winchester City Council, in partnership with the University
of Winchester, will develop complementary evening programming for the Tower and
other venues. The aim is to keep what is popular and commercially viable,
without those events having to bear heavy operating overheads for council tax
payers to pick up.
Guaranteed programme
 Councillor
Thornber said: "The Tower Arts Centre is far from closing. We are transferring
its day to day running to an outstanding school, which will guarantee the day
time programme and provide a programme of activity during the twilight time when
the Tower is not normally in use. The resources we have committed, together with
the City Council, will ensure the continuation of an evening programme focussing
initially on the Tower.
“I initiated a prolonged period of consultation on the Tower Arts Centre and,
during this time, both The Vault and the Discovery Centre were completed and
opened to the public, thereby significantly enhancing the range of venues for
the performing arts in Winchester.
“They join the Theatre Royal, Winchester Cathedral, Chesil Theatre, the Great
Hall, the Railway Inn and performing spaces at Peter Symonds College, St
Swithun’s School and Winchester College in offering venues for the performing
arts to the people of Winchester.
“Winchester is undoubtedly the best-provided area, in terms of the number and
variety of venues for the performing arts, in Hampshire, providing for a very
wide range of tastes.
More for less
"At a time of ever decreasing Government grant and more vulnerable people
needing social care, Government expects us to find more cost-effective
solutions, to do more for less, and in partnership with others and I believe the
decision I made today, given that background and the results of the 12-week
consultation, represents the best value for money we can give."
Statements of support were read out at the Leader's Decision Day meeting in
Winchester today. Kings’ School Head Teacher Sue Lawrence said: “The Governors
of Kings’ School and I are very excited by the prospect of taking over
responsibility for the day to day running and management of the Tower Arts
Centre. We see it as a natural progression in our aim to form stronger links
with our wider community. We believe these will allow the Tower to evolve as a
venue and increase its use. “
George Beckett, Leader of Winchester City Council said: “Our position is still
as it always has been, viz a recognition that you need to balance your books as
you see fit, but a willingness to seek a way of funding evening functions at the
Tower in partnership with the County Council and others.”
Professor Joy Carter, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Winchester said:
“We are pleased to be part of the discussions with the County and City Councils
regarding a shared desire to develop cultural provision and programming across
all venues in Winchester and we look forward to this discussion developing over
the next few months. The University runs a range of successful performing arts
courses and I would like our students to be able to see contemporary cutting
edge theatre performances at a number of venues around Winchester, including the
Tower venue."
Jane Jessop, Chairman of Winchester and District Mencap Society said: “Kings'
School and the County Council will back us and will use Blue Apple Theatre as a
pioneering and groundbreaking way to transform lives and give learning disabled
people skills for employment and life in the community. This is at the forefront
of thinking about performing arts for vulnerable people today. It is so
important.”
The full report to the Leader's Decision Day including the details of the 12
week consultation, the independent consultant's report, and the background to
the County Council's Arts Strategy, developed with the participation of an all
party Review Panel can be found at:
http://www.hants.gov.uk/decisions/decisions-docs/071207-execpr-R1130104417.html
Looking after Hampshire, looking out for you
www.hants.gov.uk/mediacentre For media enquiries please contact: Kate
Ball, Head of Media Communications Corporate Communications Team Tel: 01962
845626 Email: kate.ball@hants.gov.uk
Mint Burston, who died on November 17, 2007, was almost single-handedly
responsible for turning the Joiners Arms from a back-street Southampton pub into
one of the most important venues on the UK gig circuit, vital in the early
careers of Radiohead, Oasis, Muse, Coldplay and almost any important band of the
last thirty years. Mint's unerring instincts, his tolerant approach, his
unselfishness and his promoting skills are remembered and appreciated by all who
have visited or played at the Joiners. Please use the Myspace tribute page to
share your memories and appreciation of this unassuming but truly great man:
http://www.myspace.com/minttribute
Looking for different News?
Click here for our archive
|
Featured artists:
see POL Articles
STEVE EARLE
THE ANVIL, BASINGSTOKE FRIDAY JAN 25
CAROLYN MARK VARIOUS GIGS THROUGHOUT JAN
KILL HENRY SUGAR THE RAILWAY INN,
WINCHESTER, THURS JAN 17
NOUVELLE VAGUE THE BROOK, SOUTHAMPTON,
THURSDAY, JAN 31
LIMEHOUSE JAZZ
CONCORDE CLUB, EASTLEIGH, SUNDAY, JAN 27
BRITISH SEA POWER WEDGEWOOD ROOMS,
PORTSMOUTH, MONDAY, JAN 21 |
|
