WORCESTER’S new arts centre has been named as an important venue for the city by leader of the council.
Scala, has been called ‘a centre for creativity where everyone feels welcome’.
The council approved the business plans which set out how the Angel Street venue will be run, at the police and resources committee.
Some of the cities cultural and creative organisations helped the council develop the plan.
Coun Lynn Denham, – also chair of the committee – said: “Scala will be a place that will bring something new to Worcester, not compete with the entertainment offer that we already have in our city.
“It will widen the accessibility of arts and culture for everyone, increasing skills and providing employment opportunities, and also enhance people’s mental and physical health, sense of wellbeing and community cohesion.
“I am very proud that we have taken a collaborative approach in developing this draft business plan.
“We held an open consultation with the public last year, we engaged with local arts and creative organisations, and we talked to other arts centres around the country to learn from their expertise.”
She added that the previous government awarded money to purchase and convert the building but did not support running costs.
Scala will be established in the former Scala cinema and Corn Exchange buildings in Angel Street, using part of the £17.9million that Worcester City Council secured from the previous Government’s Future High Streets Fund.
The plan shows how the centre will host live events, independent films, visual arts and a range of creative activities.
Chair of the Creative Consortium Paul Sutton, of C and T, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity, and all the consortium members are delighted to be working with the City Council on this forward-looking project.
“Scala won’t just be a place to celebrate local creative talent and communities, it will also welcome artists from across our region, the UK and abroad. It will be a place that celebrates a host of diverse and vibrant artists from across the performing, visual and digital arts.”
