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Centre Interior, Stage Area Looking Towards Rear

An arts Centre, is one thing Kensington has lacked virtually since its creation. With the area’s large and historic, though not widely known arts history, an arts centre here would make the most sense.

Many local residents, and students passing through whilst at college or university have said how they would love to take an arts class in one or more forms of art.

With there being no arts facility in the area, except a few inadequate stages in two community centres the only other place is the schools, which have to charge for lighting, heating, caretaker and cleaning.

This leaves the small community groups on very tight budgets, but we would be able to offer low cost rental or using our discretion, free use of our centre. The larger groups and businesses would obviously pay a more relevant fee.

Having a community arts centre would enable us to offer qualified training to many in the arts. It would also mean that we would able to provide wages to a number of qualified staff, also we could provide employment for local residents.

Where is the location?

The building we wish to convert is on the Corner of Prescot Rd and Lister Rd, Liverpool L7, next to the remains of the Kensington Market.

What would happen at the centre?

The centre would have a full working stage where both stage craft, (Scenery construction, Sound and lighting technologies etc) could be taught. Drama/Acting courses, which would see regular performances, stage management and performance mechanism tutorials would take place.

There would be four class rooms, which could open up into two larger class rooms or one very large class room, these could be used for art and craft lessons, opened up for dance classes, an area for metal work, sculpture and pottery.

A recording studio would also be housed in the centre, not only would this make a fair deal of income, but Kensington has had in the past a few recording studios, at present there is none, two major reasons for this are the death of the owners with no one (or at least no one with an interest) to carry on the business or rents on properties being to high, whilst in initial stages, they quickly move.

There would be a coffee shop/alcohol free bistro, (coffee shop till 5pm then bistro 5.30 - 9pm. Also the wall space would be used as an art gallery and sales display area, (also limited floor space could be used as display areas for sculptures.)

There is good space for about 2 small offices, and a good area to be used as a back stage area, there is also space for about 20 cars in the attached car park. The building is close to Edge Hill Train station and easily accessed from junction 4 of the M62. It is also on a major bus route and close to another so very accessible.

What would be the cost of initialising the art centre?

To buy the building: So far the figure of £250,000 has been mentioned by the owner, Mr Kelly, but a full valuation would be sort before entering into any purchase of a property.

A new roof: We have been given a quote of £154,000. 00 This would be to replace existing roof with boards, felt over, fit a tough plastic composite for roof lights and add insulation all over the roof which would not only help with heating but also sound proofing.

Electricity: The building has three phase electricity, all would have to be replaced. Although we have no quotes at present a figure of £3,000+ has been suggested.

Plumbing and heating: We are looking at fitting more toilets, the coffee shop would need plumbing, heating (radiators, etc) would need to be carried out around the building. Our estimate would be in the region of £5,000+

Theatre: With lighting, seating, etc needed the cost would be approximately £100,000, towards which £74,000 could possibly come from the Foundation for art and sport.

Coffee Shop/Bistro: Tables, Chairs, Table Cloths, Fridges, Coffee Machines, would total in the region of £300,000 obviously this is only an estimate as it would all depend on the cost of specific items at time of purchase.

Class Rooms: The cost of Buying the breeze block, and cement, the cost of building the structure, and insulating, and painting etc would be in the region of £25,000.(If work was carried out by local trainees and if materials were bought at cost from factory etc.)

The total estimated cost would be; £3,511,000.00

What would we charge for, and how much?

Recording Studio:

Sculpture/Pottery/Metal Work Area:

Coffee Shop/Bistro:

Wall/Floor Gallery Display space:

Car Parking at centre: FREE!

Where would we seek funding?

We have already spoken to the Foundation for Sport and Arts, who have said that they would be likely to put in £47,000.00 towards the theatre.

Other sources of funding would be; the Arts Council England, Awards for All, The Big Lottery Fund, Space for Sport And Art, NWDA, City Council, Liverpool Culture Company, our own fundraising, such as bag packing at super markets(ASDA, Sainsbury, TESCO etc.), sponsored walks/bike rides, and car washes.

Also donations from local business would be sought, as in turn it would to some level increase their turn over by the increased use of their businesses when people visit our centre.

What support have we got already?

A number of letters of support plus a list started by us for people to show their support has already got over 40 people in support, other centres in the city are at least in principle in support of our idea, not least as space are limited and so another venue would increase the number of students gaining qualifications.

Many local residents support the idea, as it would provide a place for adults and more so children to go instead of either sitting at home or hanging around the streets. Plus lots of children (we have discovered from running some arts workshops in the school holidays) have a very large interest in the arts, and most don’t want to do sports.

And most youth clubs either don’t run arts activities or as in one I know of the people running the dance and drama are themselves only students, and have not qualified themselves, let alone have any official teaching qualifications, thus as good as the girls are the youngsters are not getting a proper lesson, but rather being taught what the students have leant that week which in most cases is far more advanced the beginners level they need.

So an awful lot of local people say they’d use the centre but we have also had people from other parts of the city say they would use it including one lady from Halewood, who is not living far away from the Halewood Art Centre, who has said she would come up and use ours despite having one closer.

Who would use the centre!

A wide range of people would use the centre, as in our constitution a very inclusive list of people, old, young, able, disabled, all racial groups, all faith groups, every gender and sexual persuasions.

It would be used by schools, youth clubs, pensioners groups, residents groups, companies touring groups, local acts, dance groups, drama societies, opera companies, Liverpool Welsh Choral Union, Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra.

Basically the centre would be used by all who wanted to.

What benefits would the be to the group?

To all arts we would not only finally have a base, but could provide many along waited services in Kensington through the arts. It would make the name of all arts more widely known.

And on the odd occasion were we need to apply for funding to run a project/event, we would not need to put in venue hire costs, which are usually a quarter of the overall cost of a project, so thus allowing bigger percentages towards artist fees and materials etc.

What benefits would there be to the local community?

Having this centre would mean more local people could take part in the arts, see more performances than they may do normally, would mean the children had some where to go instead of causing a nuisance on street corners. And local groups could hold meetings there.

Local business would thrive with an increase of foot traffic in the area, thus bringing the economy of the area back up to a more respectable level that it currently has. Local artist would have a place to display their work, and sell it if they wish, and local residents would be able to afford a piece or two artworks they may not other wise own. So as a community asset it is long needed.

What benefits would there be to the city?

There would be one more arts venue in a city rich in artistic talent and history, more upcoming artists could be created. Most of the art venues are in the city centre and many wont travel that far at night.

We would also increase our links with other venues and groups such as; Metal, on Marmaduke Street, and Art Space Merseyside, Based in the Bridewell on Prescot Street. And would be able to provide cheaper alternative space for groups touring from this country or abroad. Thus giving more scope to the city in being able to accommodate groups on more of a budget, who could not afford a city centre venue.

What would this mean to the capital of culture status?

As we are going to be Capital of Culture in 2008, seeing more venues in the city makes the status more appropriate, and with them spread wider than being just in the city centre ensure that the status is for the whole city and not just the city centre.

Having the title is a recognition of our wide arts and cultural achievements , having more arts centre opening, means that we are to continue creating these achievements and that the art will never be a passing phase. It means the title; European Capital of Culture 2008, will leave behind a lasting legacy.