Battersea Arts Centre

This existing project from Wandsworth Borough Council will maintain the current infrastructure and repair and restore the old council offices building that house the Battersea Arts Centre (BAC). This will allow BAC to increase participation from community groups in its programme of community and public events. These range from mother and toddler classes, to anti-gun and knife crime events for young people, to tea dances for older people and theatre events. Third sector partners include; Age Concern, the Katherine Low Settlement, Battersea United Charities and SureStart. BAC delivers an artists’ support programme that helps emerging artists on low incomes generate new work in free rehearsal space that has led to BAC being a world leader in the creation of new cutting edge theatre. It hosts seven smaller creative arts organisations who deliver workshop programmes for people with disabilities and BME groups. BAC welcomes large audiences and community visits every year. The planned refurbishment programme will increase the number of beneficiaries substantially.

The project is the first phase of a five year programme. This phase is an important platform for the future development of the building. Wandsworth Borough Council (WBC) has agreed in principle to transfer the asset under lease for 125 years. The market rate for leasing the building is £150,000 but WBC will not charge any rent for 10 years, from then onwards, rent reviews will take place every 10 years. The partnership will continue, as BAC will work with the council on a number of initiatives around youth services, education and older people. This, along with other revenue opportunities, will ensure continued financial sustainability.

In the first film Rosie Hunter, Executive director BAC explains the benefits of community asset transfer for the organisation

In the second film Councillor Paul Ellis explains the benefits of community asset transfer to Wandsworth council and community

In the final film Conrad Murray, an artist at Battersea Arts Centre, explains what the organisation means to him