Welcome - Save Windsor Arts Centre .org

This website is committed to ensuring that there is an arts provision in Windsor, please use the message board to log your support, and visit the events page to find out what activities are happening in the town, we will also endeavour to keep you updated with any further developments on the future of Windsor Arts Centre

The Firestation - Press Release - 28.04.08

Windsor’s new centre for arts and culture

The Firestation Arts Centre Gets Backing of Royal Borough

After months of deliberation and uncertainty Firestation Arts & Culture CIC has been selected by The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead to establish The Firestation arts centre at The Old Court on St. Leonards Road, former home to the Windsor Arts Centre.
“We’re delighted to have won the confidence and support of the council with our ideas and enthusiasm” says MD Dan Eastmond “and are very excited to be able to now move to the next phase. We’re hoping to occupy the building from June onwards and have a terrific programme of events developing that launches in September.”
The Firestation will offer an exciting, vibrant and diverse programme of live events, exhibitions and film as well as a great range of classes, courses and support for community groups.
With a terrific theatre space and cinema, the Basement Studio, a great bar and the addition of a state of the art IT Studio, The Firestation will showcase music, theatre, dance, comedy, film and contemporary art in a relaxed, fun and vibey environment.

So what’s next? “Things are hugely exciting and we can now move our plans forward with organisations like Windsor Boys School, No Handbags Theatre, 4Motion Dance, The Windsor Fringe and others, working together to offer something really special. We already have some great events and activities planned together.” says Dan. “Starting things from scratch means the door is wide open and as well as arts practitioners we're looking for key staff, a range of sponsors from a major corporate sponsor for the theatre to local businesses who can offer their help, volunteers, producers and, of course, supporters!”

Anyone wanting to offer their services or support can contact Dan on 0845 652 0272 or visit www.firestationartscentre.com. (Full website coming soon)
The Firestation also have a Facebook page that will keep pace with key news and events.

WAY bid - Update

The council is appointing Firestation Arts Ltd to provide arts provision in Windsor based on the former Windsor Arts Centre building in St Leonards Road.

This bid was put together by Datchet resident Dan Eastmond. He has a professional background in setting up, marketing and running clubs and entertainment venues.

Obviously we’re disappointed our bid was unsuccessful but congratulate Dan on his, the details of which we haven’t seen.

WAY is pleased that the council is supporting moves which will see the reopening of the former Windsor Arts Centre as a going concern.

Our successful public meeting in January proved there is overwhelming support in Windsor for an arts centre which:
* uses local volunteers in an active role
* assists local arts groups
* provides a programme which reaches out to all sections of the community –including young people.

The council’s bid specification spelled this out. Now we are keen to see it delivered.

Next steps for WAY

WAY will remain in existence to monitor what happens to the St Leonards Road building and make sure it becomes again a vibrant and sustainable community arts facility.

We know our intervention and campaigning has been crucial in making sure the council took seriously the need for the continuation of community arts provision in Windsor – many thanks to all our supporters for the part you played.

WAY looks forward to seeing the building reopening in September and the beginning of a new chapter in community arts provision in the town.

Tommy Fest - Update

West Wing Arts Centre, Slough
March 21st -24th

Due to generous donations the Tommy Fest with Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel will go ahead this year at the West Wing Arts Centre in Slough.

If you had previously bought tickets please contact Graham:
Direct Email | Online Contact Form

Tickets will go sale sale from Mon 11th February on 01753 823710 at 10am

All About WAY - Windsor Arts are Yours

What is WAY? WAY stands for Windsor Arts are Yours, a group set up following the shock closure of Windsor Arts Centre just before Christmas. WAY is  determined that the former Windsor arts centre building in St Leonard’s Road is retained for community arts provision in the town and reopened as soon as possible under a new organisation.

Who is WAY? WAY is a group of local residents and arts activists the nucleus of whom organised the party and produced a DVD to celebrate the centre’s 30th birthday in 2006.

What is WAY doing? WAY has begun talks with the council to retain the building for arts activities and to ensure the physical assets of the centre are bought and maintained in the building.
It has called a public meeting on Wednesday 30 January at 7.30 pm in Windsor Boys School to boost the campaign to reopen the former magistrate’s court and fire station as a community arts venue.  
That meeting will reveal progress so far and provide a platform for discussion on what a new centre could provide and do.

What can you do? Come to the meeting on 30 January to share ideas and aspirations.
Contact your local councillor http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/members_index.htm. Let them know how important it is to retain a community arts venue in Windsor and build on the successes of the former centre.

Contact WAY: Leave messages with WAY secretary Linda Chanan on
01753 866 745

Contacting Graham

You can contact Graham using the 'Contact' page of this site or on the MySpace 'Windsor Arts Centre Music' page
www.myspace.com/windsorartscentremusic

Events Update

Link to: TommyFest Forum - Windsor Arts Centre in England closes down...
Link to: Tango moves to Baldwin Hall, Eton - Starting 6th January 2008

Latest Press Articles

Borough appoints new arts provider for Windsor - 28th April
Direct Link: RBWM

Four in running for arts centre - 5th April
Direct Link: Slough and Windsor Observer - [ Comment ]

Public back new future for the WAC - 1st February
Direct Link: Slough and Windsor Observer - [ Comment ]

New hope for troubled Windsor Arts Centre - 8th January
Direct Link: The Stage - [ Comment ]

Museum group eyes up arts centre - 4th January
Direct Link: Slough and Windsor Observer - [ Comment ]

Customers left out in the cold as arts centre folds - 21st December
Direct Link: Slough and Windsor Observer - [ Comment ]

Lenny Lends Support - 20th December
Direct Link: Windsor & Eton Express - [ Comment ]

Arts Centre veteran forced to move on - 20th December
Direct Link: Windsor & Eton Express

Windsor Arts Centre Closed - 19th December
Direct Link: Maidenhead Advertiser

Art Centre Hangs in the Balance - 18th December
Direct Link: Slough and Windsor Observer

Windsor Arts Centre Closed - 14th December
Direct Link: BBC Berkshire Article

Financial Crisis forces sudden arts centre closure - 14th December
Direct Link: Slough and Windsor Observer

Windsor Arts Centre Closure

"We regret to have to announce that the Arts Centre will be closed from 11pm Friday 14th December until further notice.
Further information will be made available during the course of next week.
WAC Management." www.windsorartscentre.org