ARTS & CULTURE


Down Arts Centre reopens after £1.4m redevelopment


Down Arts Centre in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, has celebrated its offi- cial reopening following the completion of a £1.4m refurbishment and extension. Te Arts Council of Northern Ireland


(ACNI), Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Down District Council were funding partners on the redevelopment project. ACNI invested more than £600,000 as


part of a pledge to improve arts infrastruc- ture, which aims to ensure each person is within 20 miles (32km) of an arts facility. Details: http://lei.sr?a=I5K9n


Design team for Chester project


Bennetts Associates, the firm behind the revitalisation of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s home in Stratford-upon- Avon, has been appointed to work on the design of a new £38m theatre in Chester. Cheshire West and Chester


Council (CWCC) chose the practice to lead an “all-star cast” working on the scheme, which could also incorporate a new central library. The architects will be


supported by consultants Charcoalblue, Buro Happold and project manager Buro Four, with all four having worked on the Grade II*-listed Royal Shakespeare Teatre. Te new theatre is to be housed within the


city’s art deco Odeon cinema building, with the local authority currently preparing a bid for £5m of funding support from Arts Council England. Te application is expected to be


Te guide details the energy issues facing venues


New sustainable energy for arts/cultural venues


A new strategic guide from non-profit com- pany Julie’s Bicycle has been launched to ensure a more sustainable energy future for cultural buildings throughout the UK. Energising Culture was produced with


Te Teatres Trust and was unveiled at the national advisory agency’s Conference 12 – Delivering Sustainable Teatres. Te guide aims to engage cultural lead-


ers with issues regarding energy demand and supply, as well as the implication the issues will have on business models. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=M0v9A


£4.6m for temporary cultural venue in Derry


Te Northern Ireland Executive is to invest £4.6m in a temporary cultural venue in Derry-Londonderry as part of the UK City of Culture 2013 programme. Vital Venue will host a number of major


events throughout the year and will accom- modate more than 2,000 people seated theatre-style or 4,000 standing. The structure will be built on the


Ebrington site to the rear of the city’s Clock Tower. It is to remain in place during 2013, before being removed at the start of 2014. Details: http://lei.sr?a=d1B8A


10 Chester’s art deco Odeon cinema building is to house the £38m theatre


submitted when the next application process opens within the coming two months. CWCC leader Mike Jones said: “We have


secured an unrivalled blend of expertise and flair that will produce a theatre vital to our aspi- rations as an international visitor centre.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=H3f8W


UK-wide London 2012 Festival underway


Te three-month London 2012 Festival – a nationwide programme of cultural events designed to celebrate the Olympic and Paralympic Games – is now underway. Te series of events marks the culmination of the four-year Cultural Olympiad, which


began in 2008 and has seen 18 million people take part in cultural events across the UK. London 2012 Festival is due to run until 9


September, which is also the last day of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Details: http://lei.sr?a=a2K3O


New auditorium to open at Bristol Old Vic


Bristol Old Vic is to open its newly-revamped Georgian auditorium in September, following the first phase of a £19m redevelopment being carried out at the venue. The restoration of the


Grade I-listed theatre has been designed by Andrzej Blonski Architects, with the auditorium upgrade includ- ing new seating and improved sightlines for spectators. Charcoalblue has worked


on new technical systems, which includes an overhaul of the scenery flying system; the replacement of the stage grid; and new lighting. In addition to the redevelopment of Bristol


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital Te Grade I-listed theatre’s new auditorium will launch this September


Old Vic’s auditorium, the first stage of work has included the conversion of the paintshop


and sidestage into new performance spaces. Te next stage of work – transforming of the foyers and studio spaces – is to start in 2014. Details: http://lei.sr?a=q7G0m


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2012


image: notfromutrecht


image: fcarucci/shutterstock.com


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