Worthing Borough Council to work with the community to ensure the future of Colonnade House as a creative hub
Released: Tuesday, 17 December 2024
Worthing Borough Council is offering the artistic community the chance to help come up with innovative ways to ensure that Colonnade House continues to act as a successful hub for the town's creatives for years to come.
Working in partnership with the Adur & Worthing Trust, in 2016 we transformed the historic building into a welcoming multipurpose venue that provides affordable workspaces for the creative community and galleries that showcase the work of local, regional and national artists.
We want to sustain Colonnade House's success at bringing creatives and the community together and support future growth, but need to find new funding opportunities in order to continue that work.
Currently, we financially support the Adur & Worthing Trust to manage Colonnade House. Like many local councils, we are facing tough pressures due to significant reductions in the central government grant over many years, challenges from inflation and cost of living pressures, and are exploring ways to work with the community to ensure the long-term success of cultural projects in the town.
Over the next few months, we will be working with the Adur & Worthing Trust to secure additional funding to continue Colonnade House's current operating model as well as exploring new partnerships with other trusts, benefactors or organisations.
As a council for the community, we are keen to include the artistic community in cultural events and this week announced plans to hand over the direction of the Worthing festival to creative groups.
A consultation will be launched in January 2025 to give creatives, businesses and potential partners the chance to learn more about how Colonnade House currently operates and express an interest in helping the council find innovative ways to support and fund it in the future.
Councillor Dom Ford, Worthing's cabinet member for communities, culture and leisure, said:
“Colonnade House is extremely important to the local creative community here in Worthing. We are committed to working together with the community to find a way to ensure that it continues to thrive for years to come.”
We will keep residents updated on how to get involved on its social media channels and via Colonnade House's newsletter, which you can sign up for:
Photo: Colonnade House, Worthing (copyright & credit - Jim Stephenson)
Photo: Colonnade House, Worthing - weaver and textile designer Lucy Rowan
Photo: Colonnade House, Worthing, close up of building name (copyright & credit - Jim Stephenson)
(PR24-090)
Page last updated: 20 December 2024