The two are among six organisations in the North that have been invited to apply to the second stage of the Arts Council’s large capital grants funding programme.
The Hallé in Manchester plans to construct a new build extension to complete the conversion of St Peter’s in Ancoats into a centre with exceptional facilities for training and leadership in choral singing, together with a fully functional home for the Hallé’s work outside the Bridgewater Hall.
Whil Inner City Music in Manchester plans to expand the Band on the Wall main venue space into the derelict building behind to increase the venue capacity by approximately 30 per cent and develop the ancillary spaces to include additional learning and participation facilities to support their charitable aims.
As the Bolton Octagon celebrates its 50th birthday, it is aiming to renew and transform the theatre to ensure it is fit for the future – including new participation facilities, the modernisation of the auditorium, increased backstage space and improved accessibility.
The Arts Council’s large capital grants support organisations to improve existing buildings to make them more economically and environmentally sustainable, and give arts organisations the right buildings and equipment to support the delivery of their work.
The successful applicants will now be invited to complete a stage two application within the next 18 months, showing plans at a detailed stage of design and development. This will allow the Arts Council to assess the projects against criteria including long-term sustainability and resilience, the potential for partnership funding, and whether the organisation is able to manage and deliver the work proposed. Funding of £25,833,019 will be awarded in the North if the organisations are successful at the second stage of the application process.
Sarah Maxfield, Arts Council England’s Area Director, North commented: “Through our large-scale capital programme we are able to support a range of exciting and ambitions proposals across the area. These six projects in the North, which would bring great benefits for artists and audiences, are now able to progress to the next stage. We are delighted to be able to help get them off the ground.”
