Press Release: A New Partnership Between artsdepot and London Studio Centre

Press Release Tuesday 5 March 2013

New partnership between artsdepot and London Studio Centre set to inject millions into the local economy artsdepot is delighted to announce that from September 2013, the higher education vocational dance college London Studio Centre will take up permanent residence at the North Finchley venue. artsdepot’s partnership with London Studio Centre will result in considerable economic benefits for the local area. LSC, previously based near Kings Cross, initially joined artsdepot on a temporary basis for the 2012/13 academic year with around 200 first and second year students studying at the venue. From September 2013 LSC will make North Finchley its permanent home and this number will increase to over 300 with third years joining their fellow students on site. The number of people coming through the venue every day (students plus audience members and visitors) is expected to increase to between 500 – 1000. An economic impact assessment suggests the partnership between artsdepot and LSC will deliver £4 million of annual spending within the London Borough of Barnet.¹ artsdepot opened in 2004 and went on to establish itself as one of North London’s leading arts centres.

The venue almost faced closure following the complete removal of local authority support in 2011. artsdepot’s partnership with London Studio Centre helps create a sustainable financial model, securing the venue’s future.

Tracy Cooper, Chief Executive of artsdepot said: “artsdepot has been on an incredible journey since opening in 2004. We’ve weathered the removal of local authority support, almost faced closure, and had worked hard to turn the business around when this opportunity arose. Now with our innovative new business model we can ensure we thrive, not just survive, and can say with some certainty that artsdepot will be here for years to come.

“At a time when theatres and arts centres around the country continue to feel the paralysing effects of financial cuts in the arts, with many such as most recently Taunton’s Brewhouse facing closure, this partnership affords artsdepot the security to plan for the future and means we can focus on providing a diverse artistic programme of the very highest standard.

“We’re delighted that London Studio Centre will be making artsdepot their home permanently. The staff and students have brought a real vibrancy to the venue. This partnership between an arts centre and a performing arts college is unique in the cultural sector and brings with it opportunities for both organisations to collaborate and share creative ideas.”

Nic Espinosa, Director of London Studio Centre said: “We’ve loved the last year at artsdepot and are delighted to be remaining in North Finchley, establishing a new and unique partnership with artsdepot.

We were immediately struck by all that the venue has to offer in terms of training and performance. Our partnership with artsdepot provides additional opportunities for the substantial development for LSC in the longer term, in a unique performing arts environment; we believe these exciting developments will provide LSC with the opportunity to enhance our position as one of the powerhouses of Dance Education.”

The new sustainable business model ensures that artsdepot can focus on delivering its artistic programme of theatre, dance, comedy, music and family events, plus a host of participation activities, in addition to supporting the development of emerging artists and fostering artistic collaborations.

The announcement comes at a very exciting time for artsdepot as the venue looks forward to celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2014. This year will also see significant developments in the area around artsdepot, following North Finchley’s successful bid for £1.1 million from the Mayor of London’s

Outer London Fund, which promises economic regeneration and the development of a cultural quarter with artsdepot at its core.

London Studio Centre’s facilities at artsdepot will include rehearsal studios, lecture rooms and performance spaces. The relocation to artsdepot provides dance students with a unique opportunity to access professional performance spaces and as well as participate in talks, workshops and master classes with the artists and companies who perform at artsdepot. Recent collaborations include a dance class with BalletBoyz, a Q&A with Ballet Black, and a summer school for dancers aged 13 - 16.

ENDS EDITORS NOTES

London Studio Centre has an outstanding reputation for providing dance training in a wide variety of disciplines. LSC is validated by Middlesex University with over 300 students studying on Degree, Foundation and Professional Diploma courses every year.

Founded in 1978 by Bridget Espinosa, London Studio Centre offers a comprehensive Theatre Dance Course for students who are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of the theatre. The majority of the teaching staff are actively engaged in the professional theatre and students are given a range of opportunities to gain performance experience, both in-house and in professional venues.

LSC alumni have embarked on successful careers, joining companies such as Rambert Dance Company, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Henri Oguike Dance Company, Phoenix Dance Theatre, The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Scottish Ballet, Spirit of the Dance, Stomp, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, as well as performing in West End and regional plays and musicals, numerous television programmes and films and in the commercial sector. Many graduates also work as independent, creative artists in dance and theatre. artsdepot is a leading cultural hub in North London and has been celebrating the arts since 2004. The award-winning venue has its roots firmly in the community, nurturing young talent, and engaging with people through participation and outreach projects, whilst presenting artists from across the globe. With its vibrant programme of performances and exhibitions, artsdepot surprises and thrills audiences of all ages.

A thriving venue, artsdepot welcomes over 100,000 visitors every year, people who come to watch, learn or be inspired. With its stunning architecture, welcoming public spaces and diverse programme, artsdepot creates space for the imagination.

London Borough of Barnet’s funding of artsdepot which amounted to £194,000 per year ceased on 31 March 2011. The grant was equivalent to 35% of artsdepot’s core funding at the time.

Following a prudent organisational restructure with a focus on reducing costs, artsdepot survived this uncertain period and actually showed growth in the forthcoming year. In the period from September 2010 – August 2011, audience capacity stood at 63%, this increased to 68% for the same period in 2011/12.

The venue’s popularity continues to rise with audience capacity reaching an astonishing 80% across its autumn 2012 season.

Tracy Cooper, Chief Executive of artsdepot, was named in the UK’s first ever Power Part Time list (a prestigious list of 50 of the most senior level part time workers in the UK), recognising her role in saving artsdepot from closure following the complete removal of local authority support in 2011. Tracy is also a member of the Mayor of London’s London Cultural Strategy Group.

1

The economic impact assessment drew on research by The New Economics Foundation (from a study in Northumberland) which demonstrated that every ‘£1 spent with a local supplier is worth £1.76 to the local economy’. The combined economic impact includes rents and service charges (paid by artsdepot, London Studio Centre and students and staff that live locally), ancillary spend from audiences, students, staff and visitors in local restaurants, bars, supermarkets and shops, and artsdepot/LSC spend with local suppliers and advisory businesses, to reach an estimate of £2.325 million x local spend multiplier of 1.76.