The University of Warwick has been awarded £250,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation to support the expansion and upgrade of the Warwick Arts Centre, as part of its 20:20 project.

The ambitious capital plans culminate in 2020 with a new environmentally sustainable attraction which embraces new technologies, improves the audience experience and creates a vibrant cultural destination that appeals to the widest possible audiences.

As part of the 20:20 project the expanded Warwick Arts Centre will acquire a three screen HD digital auditoria, a large ground floor gallery ready to exhibit some of the very best contemporary art, sculpture and photography along with a spacious new-look foyer offering a welcoming environment.

The plans also include new open spaces for eating, drinking and socialising, with a foyer designed to showcase the very best in art and entertainment.

Alan Rivett, Director of Warwick Arts Centre said: “We are delighted with this award. Warwick Arts Centre has always attracted the best, the most challenging, and the most entertaining artists from around the world. To carry on doing this it needs to grow and develop. The 20:20 project is creating an arts centre fit for the 21^st Century, with fabulous new additions. Our community, ranging from audiences, artists and international visitors to local school children will be able to enjoy the arts and learn something new in a great environment.”

Philippa Charles, Director of the Garfield Weston Foundation said: “The Garfield Weston Foundation supports projects with talented people, effective ways to meet a clear need and a commitment to excellence. We are delighted to support Warwick Arts Centre and look forward to seeing it continue to delight and inspire audiences for many years to come.”

Warwick Arts Centre is one of the largest multi-art form venues in the UK. It delivers a high quality, engaging, distinctive, diverse programme of cinema, performing and visual arts at the heart of the University of Warwick campus. Since opening in 1974, it has been a distinctive and special place, an important resource for the arts and for audiences in the region and a significant force in national and international arts networks.

13 September 2017

Contact:

Tom Frew, Senior Press and Media Relations Manager – University of Warwick:

E: a dot t dot frew at warwick dot ac dot uk
M: +44(0)7785433155

Charlotte Kissack, PR & Digital Content Manager - Warwick Arts Centre

E: C dot Kissack at warwick dot ac dot uk

T: 024 7652 3804