An art gallery is opening in Redbridge Town Hall as part of the new cultural quarter.
Exhibition space, as well as 90 artistworkspaces, will be created in the local authority building in High Road, Ilford.
Run by visual arts organisation Space, the project hopes to provide affordable artist work areas, hold young peoples’ programmes and create events and exhibitions for the community.
The gallery, which is set to open in spring 2019, is part of The Spark project - an exciting plan to turn Ilford’s town centre into a buzzing, cultural destination as part of the Mayor of London’s £70 million regeneration programme.
As part of the scheme a new town hall entrance will also be created.
Leader of the council, Councillor Jas Athwal, said: “We believe that culture will play a major role in the future of Ilford and are delighted to be working with an organisation of Space’s experience on this exciting first project.
“Alongside exciting proposals for other spaces around the Town Hall we want to turn Ilford into a vibrant cultural hub and the workspace being provided by SPACE will open up Ilford to the creative community as a destination of choice - this was my administration’s election promise, and we are delivering on that promise.
“As well as the 90 artists and creatives who will benefit from this collaboration, residents will be able to access the training, programmes and employment opportunities on offer.”
Established by artists in 1968, Space runs 20 artist studio buildings across eight London boroughs and Colchester, providing affordable creative workspace plus support programmes, such as exhibitions, artists residencies, bursaries and training opportunities, to enable artists to be sustainable.
Space also delivers learning projects for schools, young people and communities neighbouring Space studio sites, to promote engagement with creativity and the arts.
Space’s CEO, Anna Harding, said: “Space is excited to be working with the London Borough of Redbridge to provide affordable workspace and creative programmes in Ilford town centre.
“We hope this will create new employment and training opportunities for Redbridge residents, as well as contribute to transforming the town centre as a destination.”
Visit spacestudios.org.uk
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