There's quite an art to success

Mar 13 2007 By Keith Newton, The Journal

An arts centre is undergoing an £800,000 makeover. Keith Newton went along to find out what it's all about.

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According to the creepy rumours, the ghosts of visitors past haunt the corridors and back rooms of Darlington Arts Centre.They walk them late at night, sad spirits belonging to innocent folk who got in but never found their way out.

There may be something of the joke about this spooky tale, but anyone previously stepping into the complicated collection of rooms and spaces that made up the labyrinth beyond the foyer would certainly understand it - and fear they too might just join this alleged legion of the lost.

In fairness to the building on Vane Terrace, its quirks should not be unexpected. It is indeed vast, much altered, and old, dating back 130 years to 1876 when it began life as a teacher training college.

It is currently, however, facing its greatest changes thanks to an £800,000 makeover aimed at turning it into a more appropriate, attractive, and accessible modern arts complex.

Major improvements include a plaza fronting on to Vane Terrace complete with spectacular water sculpture by internationally renowned artist Angela Conner; a new foyer; and a new performance studio.

Much of the work on the plaza is complete. The water sculpture will be sited in front of the new entrance and form an exciting backdrop to the centre's new alfresco eating and drinking area.

Inside, the replacement foyer is much more modern and arty - and totally in keeping with the feel of the outside plaza. The new entrance for the theatre, improved reception area, and community gallery add to the artistic feel. The entrance from the gallery leads to a sensory garden and courtyard at the rear and there is now a chair lift to the Garden Bar.

"Let's face it," said one member of staff, "the building didn't look very inviting. You didn't look at it and think `That's a modern arts building' as you would with others in the Tees Valley."

The centre is already reaping the benefit of one change thanks to the performance space at the back. This has been converted from the former dance studio, holds more than 100 on pull-out seating, has new lighting, and opened last October with The Iron Man.

This year will see three shows a month for young children ranging in age from three to 11.

All the changes are being carefully undertaken to avoid harming one of the finest old buildings in the town.

Darlington College Of Education was founded by the British And Foreign School Society and opened in 1876, continuing to provide teacher training until 1978.

In 1976, Darlington Arts Association was formed to press for the town to have its own arts centre and, in 1978, Darlington Council signed a 20 year lease on the building with the British And Foreign School Society.

The altered and improved arts centre opened in 1982. Its Myles Meehan Gallery followed in 1983 and ownership of the whole building was officially handed over to Darlington Council from the British And Foreign School Society on July 10, 2001.

"The new developments are what we have needed to reflect the huge variety of arts and cultural events that go on here daily," says the arts centre's Niki Burgham.

"What we put on is unbelievable - from theatre to arts to exhibitions and courses.

"Angela Conner is one of the world's most significant sculptors and her recent work includes a water mobile for the State Dining Table at 10, Downing Street and the tallest sculpture in Dublin.

"Her water sculpture will mark out the building locally and regionally and provide visitors with a quality and contemporary visual experience to enhance the diverse variety of arts activity.

"She is well used to the problems associated with the public, having unguarded access to sculptures, ensuring her materials are long lasting and of the highest quality."

Lee Vasey, Darlington Council's cabinet member for leisure services, says: "These amazing, modern facilities will benefit so many more people and make the arts centre an even more important venue for arts, theatre, dance and other events.

"A lot of time and effort has gone into devising this refurbishment to come up with the right designs which will offer the most benefit to users and attract more people to the centre."