Warwick Arts Centre awarded £4.2 million funding for 20:20 Project

As part of their Large Capital Fund, Arts Council England has granted the Arts Centre £4.2 million in funding to support their project to renovate the Arts Centre.

The 20:20 Project began in Autumn 2017 with a Phase 1 maintenance programme, refreshing, renewing and redeveloping the existing foyers and theatres including the Theatre, Studio, Music Centre and Woods Scawen Room.

These will reopen in July 2018.

The University of Warwick have suggested that “by October 2020 Warwick Arts Centre will be a redeveloped cultural and creative centre for the region in which to continue the organisation’s distinctive, creative, artistic and cultural programme”.

This capital funding kick starts Phase 2 of the Warwick 20:20 Project, which will begin in October of this year.

Phase 2 of the project will see the demolition of the existing cinema and Mead Gallery, and the creation of a new building to house three new digital auditoria, a large ground floor gallery ready to exhibit some of the very best contemporary art, sculpture and photography.

The new developments will also include a spacious foyer and café bar, “offering a welcoming environment for everyone”, according to a spokesperson for the University.

Vice-chancellor Stuart Croft has expressed his support of the programme and gratitude towards Arts Council England:

“Warwick Arts Centre has been the jewel in the crown of the University for 44 years and symbolises our values of openness, innovation and inquiry. The University plans to invest in this well-loved building to ensure it remains at the forefront of artistic and creative practice for the benefit of our region and our communities.”

“I’m so pleased that Arts Council England has shown its commitment to this venture and our ongoing partnership with this generous award.”