Warwick Arts Centre has been successful in its bid to HS2's Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and has secured £250,000 towards its Warwick 20:20 project.

The project involves relocating the Mead Gallery and replacing the existing cinema with new state-of-the-art facilities.

The upgraded venue will offer the opportunity for the public to engage with Warwick Arts Centre as a community hub for the arts in a range of ways, including volunteering, participating in programmes and projects and attending events.

The grant will help transform the entrance and foyer and replace blockwork with large expanses of glass to create a light, engaging and welcoming space for visitors, creating a new three screen cinema where a diverse range of films can be shown, and also relocating the Mead Gallery from the first floor to the ground floor, improving visibility and accessibility.

Accessibility will be enhanced through new accessible toilets, a gender neutral toilet and the installation of an evacuation lift. The building will also be environmentally sustainable, with the introduction of LED lighting, improved heat recovery and a connection to the district heat network, reducing carbon emissions.

To celebrate the opening of Coventry's year as UK City of Culture, this summer Warwick Arts Centre will be presenting some events to kick-start a year of big moments for the city.

Social distancing measures will be in place and visitors will receive a warm welcome and the chance to experience some much-missed live theatre.

In October 2021, the Centre will fully re-open, with a full programme of events, many rescheduled from last year, and continued City of Culture celebrations.

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HS2's Community and Business funds were launched in 2017 and have to date supported 23 projects in Warwickshire which have shared over £1.3million. Projects have ranged from community facilities upgrades, sports programmes, to programmes to provide transportation for people to access community and healthcare services.