Development Programme

Newcastle Arts Centre Trust is an independent arts organisation which leases the public and studio spaces from Newcastle Arts Centre Limited. The buildings comprise a group of 18th, 19th and 20th Century listed buildings acquired by Newcastle Arts Centre Limited in 1981 and extensively restored and improved as a mixed use development. Since 1987, the Centre has proved its value as a creative resource, and has recently had a substantial redesign and refit of both the public and the studio areas to meet current needs.

Improvement works began in '95 with a new fire alarm system. In addition, our Craftshop was refitted and the floor area enlarged three times, and provision was made for a new high street entrance.

Our latest step was to create 6 new studio/offices to accommodate the growing demand for space for local creative industries. This followed the move of our Arts Material shop `details' into the Centre, to focus all our effort onto one site, and set up a new programme of courses and exhibitions.

The main public space has been upgraded to create an improved Gallery, Shop, and space for a Café. The plan creates both work and leisure facilities to form an `Arts Department Store', in a building that was first developed in 1912 as one of Newcastle's earliest departments stores.

Future development will enable easy access for all users of the Centre, including better access to the Basement Theatre and Bar.

For a history of the company - click here