Funding boost for Arena Theatre

The theatre, which is part of the University of Wolverhampton, has been awarded £110,000 each year for the next three years until 2017/18.

The 150 seat theatre in Wulfruna Street features seminar rooms and a bar and stages 200 productions every year.

The Arts Council assessed that the proposed programme put forward by the theatre supported the organisation’s ambition to develop its music and spoken word offer, strengthen its offer to Black and Minority Ethnic and disabled and deaf people and increase its interactive work with children.

Neil Reading, the Arena Theatre Manager, said: “The Arena has been a long-term supported organisation for the Arts Council and with today’s decision that relationship continues. The funding we have been allocated is at a standstill level with the funding we have received in the last two years.

“The Arena has made a commitment to continue hosting the best of small-scale touring work for local communities, BME groups, Disability Arts and work with the student body, as well as commissioning new work in these fields.

“Over the past 18 months the Arena has taken steps to further integrate with the local communities of Wolverhampton and the Black Country and this funding will allow us to further develop these opportunities and bring excellent art to the University and the region.”

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “The Arena plays a vital role in the cultural offer here in Wolverhampton so it’s great news that the Arts Council has announced it will continue to provide this level of funding over three years.

“Being able to give people in the area, particularly young people, an opportunity to access quality arts is essential to us as a University and also to the region’s cultural economy.”

Arena’s latest programme of events.

ENDS

For more information please contact James Allen in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322003

Date Issued: Tuesday 1 July 2014