Arts centre completes £25.5m redevelopment programme
Warwick Arts Centre has now officially completed its four year long £25.5m redevelopment and has begun the 100 day countdown to prepare for its new full season of arts events on October 1.
Part of the University of Warwick campus, Warwick Arts Centre began to temporarily close its doors in 2017 as part of a radical transformation, the largest in its 47-year history.
Designed by Ellis Williams Architects, with Bond Bryan as delivery architect, and project managed by Turner and Townsend, despite the pandemic, the construction work by Willmott Dixon completed last week. The arts complex is now officially handed back to the University of Warwick to prepare for a new season starting in October in Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture.
Director, Doreen Foster, said: “This is a fantastic time for Warwick Arts Centre as we are now one step closer to welcoming visitors back to their arts centre. We cannot wait for our audiences to enjoy the experience and make new memories as they engage with the exceptional range of arts and culture that has always been our hallmark, including in our new spaces – such as our new three screen cinema, restaurant and the reimagined Mead Gallery.
“With people throughout the UK and Europe set to visit our city to mark Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture, 2021 is set to be for exciting time for arts and culture in our region – and I’m delighted that we will be part of its success. I like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved with the redevelopment of Warwick Arts Centre for making this possible and ensuring that audiences and visitors will be able to join us for decades to come. We’re back, bigger and better than ever, and our doors will be open wider than ever before.”
The University of Warwick’s vice-chancellor, professor Stuart Croft, said: “Sat right at the heart of our main campus, Warwick Arts Centre has been an integral part of the cultural life of our university and region for almost five decades. As we celebrate Coventry UK City of Culture 2021, it is wonderful that Warwick Arts Centre will soon be open again for audiences and visitors to come and enjoy all that is has to offer.”
