Middlesbrough Town Hall has been awarded a £1m Arts Council funding grant to further its music programme once reopened.
The Grade II* Listed building is currently undergoing major multi-million pound refurbishment works and is set to reopen in spring 2018.
And there is now further good news after the Arts Council announced the popular town centre venue would receive £249,000-a-year for a four year period from the reopening date.
The money comes from the Arts Council’s National Portfolio funding programme for organisations to deliver arts and cultural activity.
In making the bid Middlesbrough Council pointed to the refurbishment and expansion of space as a “unique opportunity” and that the Town Hall is the largest performance venue in the southern region of the North East and is central to the emerging Middlesbrough Cultural Quarter.
Cllr Mick Thompson, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Culture and Communities, said: “The announcement from the Arts Council is very exciting news for Middlesbrough Town Hall.
“As most people probably know the Town Hall is currently undergoing a near £8m refurbishment. The funding announced will kick in to coincide with the spring 2018 reopening and will support the venue in realising an ambitious programme of classical music, jazz, folk and world music performances and various participation opportunities.
“It is a great boost to the plans we already have to make sure Middlesbrough Town Hall is the number one vibrant and creative hub for music, performing arts and artistic development in the Tees Valley, accessible to all.”
Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd, who is also culture and tourism lead at Tees Valley Combined Authority, said: “A strong and vibrant arts and cultural sector can have a positive impact on an area’s overall wellbeing. Not only does it attract visitors to Tees Valley, but helps make the area a better place to live, work and do business.
“The Arts Council has recognised the excellence that exists within this sector and the standard of work being undertaken to further enhance it.”
Works on the Grade II* Listed building have been made possible via £3.7m funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £4m from Middlesbrough Council.
