Following the sale of land around the Devizes Road car park, Swindon Borough Council provided money to improve the Arts Centre facilities in 2002. The Arts Centre re-opened on 6 January 2003.

What Has Been Achieved

There is a fine two-storey glass-roofed entrance, which includes a ticket office, toilets and a lift to the auditorium.

Backstage, a large lift provides performers with easier access to the stage and upgraded dressing room facilities.

A courtyard at the front has been enhanced by the sculpture 'Applause' created by local artist Mark Amis.

New seats were subsequently installed in the theatre, and the auditorium redecorated.

Why Did We Do This?

• To improve access to the auditorium
• For health and safety reasons - to improve access to the stage area, where visiting artists previously had to carry equipment, etc. up steep stairs to the stage door

How Much has it Cost?

The council provided £660,000.

A futher £50,000 of Lottery money has enabled the purchase of new lighting, the upgrading of the computer system and refurbishment of the Gallery Bar.

The improvement project did not include provision for general refurbishment. The new seats in the theatre have been achieved through the fund-raising efforts of the Friends of Swindon Arts Centre.

You Can Contribute to Fund-raising

See: The Friends of Swindon Arts Centre (FoSAC).