Arts Council England invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives and the grant of £37,856 is an endorsement of the centre’s ambition to engage and involve the local community.
The grant will enable The Edge to invest in initiatives to welcome new visitors to its programme, and to invite more local school children to bespoke workshops to accompany its exhibitions.
The Edge is an arts and creativity hub informed by the context of the University, bringing together arts, research and adventure. It strives to promote the art in science and the science in art.
As the biggest contemporary arts centre in Bath, the state-of-the-art Edge building offers galleries, theatres, music and art studios, plus a lively café and bar.
Its year-round programme includes exhibitions, performing arts presentations, talks, arts classes, family and community events.
Jamie Eastman, Director of Arts, said: “The Edge opened two years ago and to receive funding from Arts Council England is a fantastic endorsement of the quality of its programme, and what local people can gain from visiting. We believe that everyone can be creative and contribute, and this grant will help us to pursue this belief with a wider audience.
“The ethos is to bring together arts, research and adventure and we invite people to dip into The Edge’s Autumn/Winter programme to discover what’s on offer.”
The new Autumn programme begins with Parallel (of life and) Architecture, a season celebrating the legacy of legendary British architects Alison and Peter Smithson, who worked at the University in the 1970s and ‘80s. The three-day Festival of the Future City Bath continues the architecture theme from Thursday 19 October to Saturday 21 October including a lecture from film-maker Ken Loach. The Edge’s programme also includes family workshops, dance and exhibitions.
Phil Gibby, Area Director, South West, Arts Council England, added: “We’re really pleased to be supporting The Edge’s Autumn and Winter programme though our National Lottery-funded Grants for the arts programme. The work will develop the venue as an inclusive and accessible community hub in Bath and I look forward to seeing how these activities widen audiences, giving more people across the city and beyond more opportunities to experience great art and culture.”
For the full Autumn/Winter programme visit The Edge website.