'Making It Better'

The Story

The Crediton Arts Centre has launched a development initiative ‘Making it Better’. This addresses long overdue improvements to the Arts Centre facilities and building. This has come about because we now have a fundraiser on our small staff, Patsy Lang. We have split the management role of the Centre in two with Jack Robson continuing to Programme the venue and provide technical management, and Patsy doing all administrative chores and fundraising.

‘Making it Better’ is a three phase programme of work:

Phase 1, now complete!!

Replacing our heating system with up-to-date radiators and a fan system which keeps the heat out of the rafters and down on the people. We have extended the central heating into the art room so no more portable heaters needed. Each room has its own thermostat so we can programme separately according to use.

Phase 1 also includes an upgrade to the kitchen, replacing cabinet doors, worktop, sink, and adding a cooker and hob.  Plus a repaint in a new colour scheme which will also move out into our foyer area. This allows for cooking classes which the Youth Club have already started having, and for groups using the centre to heat food or keep it warm. Funding for Phase 1 was provided by Mid Devon District Council so a big thanks to them!

Phase 2, funding applications are currently awaiting answers.

This includes the replacement of our stage lights, projector and dimming system, putting art friendly lighting into the art room, replacing floors in the studios and kitchen. It also includes time spent researching new ideas, performers and artists to expand our programme of activities, thus increasing earned income.

Phase 3, possible building of extension out from the foyer area.

A long term goal allowing us to move the toilets to the foyer, and making the current toilet location into a dressing room which. This removes the need to cross the parking lot to the Leap Frog toilets when we need the kitchen for a dressing room. We have received funding to do a feasibility study into this idea,exploring permissions needed and building regs requirements. We need to consult with an architect to look at the viability of this idea. We will do this research during the upcoming year. If we decide to go ahead we will then need to raise the money to do it of course, no mean feat!