VOLUNTEERS at Worcester Arts Workshop have been boosted with a £49,750 grant from the Arts Council England for their Transform Project.
The Transform Project is the beginning of an artistic transformation under Hannah Phillips’ new leadership, working towards the renewal of the workshop and re-focus of its programme. In turn it is hoped that this will create more opportunities for young people in Worcester to participate in live performing and digital arts.
Worcester Arts Workshop will make improvements to its website and digital communications through the Transform Project to increase the viability of the artistic programme and engage with the local community, together with key funding partners in the shaping of capital plans.
There will be new and innovative work created at Worcester Arts Workshop throughout the project, including a new digitally immersive production created for schools and young people, exploring issues of young mental health.
And Worcester Arts Workshop, along with creative partners Vamos Theatre Company, Open Theatre, C&T and Outspoken will forge an emerging artists training programme, including work with vulnerable people and those with learning disabilities.
Hannah Phillips, director of transformation at Worcester Arts Workshop said; It’s wonderful for Worcester Arts Workshop and for the City of Worcester to get this level of investment from the Arts Council at this point during the transformation of the organisation. I am thrilled that this funding can help to cement the changes we have started to make at the Workshop. We are on the road to creating a centre for creative learning in the heart of Worcester that everyone can engage with and enjoy.”
In addition to the Arts Council Funding, Worcester Arts Workshop has received a further match funding of £2,000 from the Elmley Foundation and £500 from the Virtual School towards the project.
Worcester Arts Workshop has also recently been successful in securing an inclusive growth Ggant from Worcester City Council for £9,995 to focus on on up-skilling, training and mentoring local residents to enable the group to give individuals ongoing employment opportunities.
Anne Hannaford, chair of Worcester Arts Workshop said: “It is an inclusive arts and learning centre for a diverse future generation of audiences and participants, and I am so looking forward to seeing the positive changes that are already taking place come to fruition.”
