CREDITON Arts Centre is delighted to have received a grant from Devon County Council for £16,179 to create an attractive entrance.
This is thanks to the considerable support of Cllr Nick Way as the money was part of his allocation of funds following the sale of Exeter Airport.
Every week, around 200 people pass through the door to the Arts Centre in East Street. Two youth theatre groups meet there in the Drama Studio, there are seven visual arts classes, two language groups, a writing class as well as audiences for shows and students from Queen Elizabeth's Community College who regularly make use of the drama studio.
At the moment, the cast of Shakespeare's 'Pericles' are rehearsing every day for their Festival production in the Town Square (June 24-27) and the planners of the Food Festival (June 13-14), also in the Square, are hard at work.
The door they all pass through, despite a coat of cheerful red paint, is dull and unwelcoming.
With the grant an attractive entrance, a warm and light foyer and a paved approach to the Centre will be created. Disabled access will be much improved, a wider glass door supported by oak posts will invite visitors into a spacious tiled area with box office facilities.
Overall, the entrance will reflect the friendly welcome the Arts Centre aims to extend to everyone in the community.
The new entrance has been designed by Arts Centre member and award-winning architect David Treadaway. The work will be carried out during the summer school holiday period by local craftsmen Keith Bevan (builder) and Philip Wright (joiner). The Arts Centre looks forward eagerly to opening its new doors to everyone in time for the Autumn season of its popular events and classes.