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Windsor Arts Centre - update

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thamesweb	Windsor Arts Centre - update	Lead	[-]
Posts: 947 (04/01/08 00:21:56) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	This thread has been updated with the latest news and comment. Earlier posts are retained for the record Arts Centre - Four Contenders 31/03/2008 The Royal Borough has received four 'interesting and exciting' proposals from groups keen to take over the role of providing arts services in Windsor. Since Windsor Community Arts Centre Limited - the company providing arts activities for Windsor residents from the council-owned old fire station in St Leonard's Road - went into administration just before Christmas the council has actively sought a new provider, and interested groups were given until March 14 to submit their proposals. The four groups which rose to the challenge of designing lively, viable programmes catering for the varied needs of the community are: · Everyday Theatre · Firestation Arts & Culture · Windsor Arts are Yours (The WAY Group) · Windsor Arts Centre Management Group (WACMG) Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for leisure and culture and one of the building's trustees, said: "We are pleased to have received four interesting and exciting proposals which we - together with colleagues from Arts Council England South East - are evaluating against each other and the council's requirements. "Following presentations to councillors a recommendation will be made to cabinet at the end of April for a decision. "We are committed to arts in Windsor; the £80,000 annual grant previously given to the arts centre was maintained in the 2008/09 budget." __________ The unofficial Windsor Arts Centre website is here Windsor Arts Centre - WAY Last Edited By: thamesweb 04/29/08 00:33:37. Edited 2 times.
gezkc		#1	[-]
Posts: 5 (04/01/08 11:31:17) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	That's great news - I was really sad to hear Windsor Arts Centre had closed down. Let's hope one of these four contenders can make a real success of it this time round.
thamesweb	Arts up and running again by autumn	#2	[-]
Posts: 1041 (04/29/08 00:30:34) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Arts provision in Windsor will be up and running again in time for the autumn season following the Royal Borough's decision to appoint a new interim provider. Firestation Arts & Culture Limited is a new community interest company founded by local resident Dan Eastmond who has 15 years of arts and entertainment experience including working with major events organisations and promoters. He and his management team of three professionals will now take forward a 12-month programme designed to cater for a wide range of ages and interests across the community. The decision to appoint Firestation was taken by the borough's cabinet, meeting last Thursday (April 24), after a rigorous submission and vetting process that saw four organisations shortlisted for the final selection stage. Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for leisure and culture, said the standard of submissions was very impressive and he thanked all those who took part for their professionalism and their enthusiasm for arts provision in their local community. He said: "Those of us involved in the selection process were particularly struck by the proposals from Firestation. They clearly demonstrated their desire to excite and inspire participation and reach out well beyond the walls of Windsor Arts Centre itself into the wider community." Cllr Grey said that Firestation was a 'clear and vibrant' new brand based on thorough assessment of local audiences. They showed sound financial planning that would make the best use of the centre and indeed had the potential to become more self-sustaining in the future. He added: "Since Windsor Community Arts Centre Limited went into administration just before last Christmas the council has been determined to find a new provider to take forward a varied programme that caters for the needs of the local community. We believe we have found a company which will make effective use of the council's £80,000 grant funding and restore a lively, inclusive arts programme for the town." The borough's decision is to appoint Firestation for an initial 12-month period while local consultation is carried out and proposals for a more permanent arrangement developed. Mark Taylor, project manager for WAC, said: "Having Firestation on board means that there will be arts provision in Windsor while we take time to consider longer-term issues, such as repairs and improvements to the building itself. The results of our planned consultation will also give us a robust basis for arts provision that is rooted in the local community." The council hopes the unsuccessful applicants will work with Firestation to ensure the provision of excellent arts coverage for Windsor residents.