The last TakeOff for Darlington if Arts cuts are made?

[Lyndsey Middleton]

Darlington Borough Council is preparing to withdraw the subsidy from
Darlington Civic Theatre and the Darlington Arts Centre; which may lead to their closure.

As another fantastic TakeOff Festival comes to a close, Darlington Arts Centre staff are left saddened that this inspiring Festival of Children's Theatre may be the last that Darlington Arts Centre hosts, and indeed, the last TakeOff in Darlington. Organised by it's resident Theatre Company Theatre Hullabaloo in partnership with the Arts Centre, the Festival saw over 100 delegates from across the UK and beyond descend on Darlington for two days to be inspired by 9 theatre shows for made specifically for young audiences, as well taking part in creative debates and discussion.

The TakeOff Festival is what venues like Darlington Arts Centre are here for. To provide a unique creative space for theatre makers to share ideas and develop partnerships that keep the magic of theatre alive, so companies such as Catherine Wheels who brought their beautifully crafted and award winning show White to TakeOff, can keep making and sharing that magic. As usual, many delegates commented to staff as to what a great and unique venue Darlington Arts Centre is, and conveyed thier disbelief that the Council is even considering withdrawing subsidy from the venue.

So is that it? Is that the end of Darlington Arts Centre in it's current form? Will there never be another TakeOff, or any other national Festival at the Arts Centre that not only enhances the culture of Darlington but draws revenue into Darlington's various hotels, guest houses, restaurants, taxi firms etc? Maybe the way forward is to argue the case of the great loss to the local economy which will no doubt be felt as the ripple effect widens if these two venues are closed. Lyn Gardner, in the 'In Conversation' session at the TakeOff Festival yesterday seemed to think that this is the argument we should be making. But will the Council listen?

If you value the arts in Darlington, and want to make a comment on the proposed arts cuts in Darlington, please make your voice heard by signing this petition and leaving comments.

http://www.gopetition.com/petition/40363/signatures.html

Below - a great article where Viv Hardwick from the Northern Echo talks to Miranda Thain, Creative Producer of Theatre Hullabaloo about the effects of the arts cuts in Darlington.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/leisure/entertainment/theatre/8632...

[Lucy Carolan]

Hi (again) Lyndsey,

I belong to a small arts org based in Darlington, and we've been out of the country for a month. The first I heard about your petition was when someone joined me (not invited to join, just joined me!) to the facebook group you've set up to promote it. From other sources I've gleaned enough information to understand that the Arts Centre and Civic Theatre are under threat, but what the details are I'm still not clear about. And if I live in Darlington and can still be ignorant of the details, what chance do readers of this forum have.

When will Darlington Council make it's final decision to withdraw subsidy or not? Other than the petition and the setting up of the Darlington for Culture CIC, what's happening - and how do these two things relate? Although the srticle you've posted the link to is good, it mainly concerns Theatre Hullabaloo and TakeOff Festival. How id the campaign to save the arts centre engaging all the other arts groups who year round contribute to the arts in Darlington?

Can you spell things out a bit more please?

Thanks, Lucy

[Lyndsey Middleton]

To be honest Lucy the details aren't clear yet, but all the Arts organisations that work with The Arts Centre such as partners, freelancers etc that will be directly affected were sent a letter by the Council with the same information that staff who work at the venues received. And all of that information has been published widely in the press. Basically the Council are proposing to withdraw subsidy. I'm not sure when we will find out anything more for definite.

I didn't set up the facebook group - (there are a few I believe) I added myself to any groups that I felt I should be part of, and then posted the link to the petition on the walls. I think there are a number of people doing different things in different ways to campaign.

Unfortunately I can't really spell things out anymore as I don't know anymore! I think it's just a waiting game now to see what happens, and to see whether groups like Darlington for Culture can create a way forward for the Arts Centre. But the future is very uncertain. There is a meeting this Thursday evening at the Arts Centre held by Darlington for Culture to try and look at a way forward - it's from 7pm-8.30pm. You should come along if you're interested.
Thanks,
Lyndsey

[Lucy Carolan]

OK, and thanks for taking the time to respond - to find out more I'll just have to come to the Thursday meeting if I can. I don't want to live in a town where there is no arts provision.

Meanwhile, here's a piece by Lyn Gardner that just appeared in the Guardian:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/theatreblog/2010/nov/16/darlingto...

The arts centre has been under threat for some time though. Over a year ago our Labour majority council announced plans to sell off parts of the building to the neighbouring 6th form college, despite the ACE funded refurbishments - in this light the current need to make severe cuts seem like the handing down on a silver platter of a perfect 'it's not us it's them' excuse to get rid of the whole building in one go...