GOSFORTH CIVIC THEATRE AWARDED ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND CAPITAL GRANT

• Liberdade Community Development Trust, who run Gosforth Civic Theatre to receive £499,999 from Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme.

• Liberdade are among 66 cultural organisations across the country to benefit from a share of over £22.7million from Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme.

• The grant is the beginning of Gosforth Civic Theatre’s journey towards £1million redevelopment which will enable the venue to be more dynamic, sustainable and accessible.

Gosforth Civic Theatre in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, has received a grant of £499,999 from Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme.

As part of these 2021-22 and 2022-23 grants, over £22.7 million has been awarded to 66 cultural organisations across the country, including Liberdade. The Capital Investment Programme aims to help cultural organisations across the country transform their buildings and equipment so they can operate safely post-pandemic, improve access, seize technological opportunities, and reduce environmental impact. From Barrow-in-Furness to The Isles of Scilly, the organisations receiving funding share a vision to build a fit for the future cultural sector, which all members of their communities can access.

Liberdade is a disability arts organisation that runs Gosforth Civic Theatre, a 200-seat cultural and community venue in Newcastle upon Tyne.

“Historically society has provided places for people with learning disabilities to go, at Gosforth Civic Theatre people with learning disabilities are providing a place for everyone to come together” Ozzy (founding company member of Liberdade).

The redevelopment project will expand the theatre’s capabilities and provide a positive, proactive pathway beyond the COVID-19 pandemic focused on recovery, sustainability and growth. The project will improve the quality of experience for all users of the building, and will include:

- A replacement roof (the current roof has a limited life remaining);

- Insulation of roof, wall cavities, and external walls (There is no insulation currently);

- Installation of two air source heat pumps;

- Photovoltaic panels;

- Upgraded theatrical infrastructure;

- Improvements to access (stage, accessible WC/shower, bar);

- An extension including community room, office space, and entrance;

- Sky lights, internal decoration, and external landscaping.

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England said “World class creativity and culture needs a resilient and sustainable infrastructure to allow it to flourish. With these investments in the buildings, equipment, and digital systems of cultural organisations across England, we are helping to secure the future of that infrastructure, and making sure that people from every part of the country can continue enjoying all the benefits it delivers for years to come.”

Rob Huggins, CEO of Liberdade said “We would like to say a massive thank you for this transformational investment from the Arts Council, it provides a huge step towards realising our essential and exciting £1m redevelopment plans for Gosforth Civic Theatre”