Arts centre gives new future to Tetley’s Brewery
PART of the former Tetley’s Brewery site in Leeds is to become a contemporary visual arts centre following a £225,500 grant.
‘The Tetley’ will offer exhibition spaces, learning and community facilities, event and retail opportunities and a cafe/bar.
Project Space Leeds, the organisation behind the project, has been awarded the funding by Arts Council England to help convert the ground, first and second floors of the former brewery site’s headquarters.
PSL will also look after the Tetley archive and the redevelopment will preserve heritage features such as the original boardroom and war memorials in the building.
Set to open this autumn, The Tetley will create opportunities for artists based across Yorkshire to develop and show work.
Artists will also be commissioned to create new work as part of the capital refurbishment.
Work to convert the 1930s building began last September, including the refurbishment of its period glass roof and addition of new exterior stairs and a lift. Carlsberg UK, the owner the building, has supported its retrofit.
PSL, a registered charity, is led by two of its founding directors, artist-curators Pippa Hale and Kerry Harker.
Ms Harker said: “For years in Leeds there has been a gap in provision for contemporary visual art and it is fantastic that, at long last, the city will have its own interpretation of brilliantly inspiring, thriving places such as Glasgow’s Centre for Contemporary Arts and Bristol’s Arnolfini.
“The Arts Council’s funding, added to the tremendous support we have had from Carlsberg UK, puts us on a more sustainable footing which means that we can focus our efforts on creating a centre of excellence for contemporary visual art. We want it to be a first class resource for local people and an important attraction for students and visitors to Leeds.”
Cluny Macpherson, regional director for Arts Council England, said: “Project Space Leeds’ plan for a contemporary visual arts centre in the iconic Tetley Brewery is exciting for Leeds and exciting for the arts.
“It has the potential to become a major draw for visitors, artists and people living in Leeds and a nationally significant hub for the visual arts.”
Benet Slay, chief executive of Carlsberg UK, said: “We are pleased to have found such a great use for the building and are delighted to share it with the community of Leeds.”
The famous Tetley’s Brewery in Leeds closed last year after more than 150 years of brewing in the city.
Other arts projects to receive funding from the Arts Council include £3.9m for the Square Chapel Centre for the Arts in Halifax and £1.3m for The Art House in Wakefield.
