The New Arts Quarter Southampton city will become the new home of a multimillion pound arts quarter, it was revealed today by city council team leader and project manager Jill Low. The new arts development will open in spring 2015 at an estimated cost of £175 million. It will be built on above bar street next to the Guildhall in the heart of the city; a five minute walk from West Quay shopping centre. “The centre of the city needs some serious regeneration. I love the fact there are two universities in Southampton, plenty of bus routes and parks, and also I love the people. Southampton is a gateway to the city and to Europe, and we know that there is a wish for art in the middle of the city, so it made sense to build it here.” Explained Jill, who has been a part of the project for four years and also worked at the arts centre, where she has set up festivals. The arts and cultural quarter is going to have two auditoriums which will “feel informal to fit small audiences and create a nice friendly atmosphere, and also to become a hive of activity”, a bistro style restaurant and coffee shops, as well as ‘Sea City’; a museum to honour the sinking of the Titanic. It is Above Bar and will feature dance and cabaret in the North performance building. “There is a niche market which we need to fill. We already have the Civic Centre and the Mayflower but there is a need for something else to make work for local residents and international visitors coming in. The feedback from residents has been very positive on the whole.” “There will always be those on the Southampton echo website who will say it can’t be done but we had a ‘Midsomer Night’s Dream’ themed event to advertise the development, which attracted 2,000 visitors, proving it can work.”
Part of the city’s new proposals to bring culture into Southampton includes a space for the community to come together where projects are planned, such as workshops, an art gallery, dance studios, and independent and commercial cafes. It is part of a master plan to create revenue for small businesses and bring tourism to the city. The project is costing £175 million with a fund raising target of £2.1 million and £7.2 million contribution from the arts council. Southampton council are investing over £2 million and there is also a budget for £160,000 a year for the performing arts quarter. Jill explains the benefits of the new quarter: “Culture is an absolute essential part of life. It will make people aware of the city and give them a reason to live here; it will create jobs and also keep the students here after their studies. Other cities have proved that a cultural quarter can regenerate interest in a city, and this proves how essential this project is.” “During the recession we spent two years convincing our funders that there is still a need for this project in Southampton. I only take part in things I am passionate about and I’m really passionate about this project. We are trying to create an informal atmosphere in a very modern building; a buzzing centre which will make people want to come into, watch a film, have a coffee, take part in a workshop, feel safe and more importantly be entertained.” Working together with Jill is Southampton City council’s Communications Director Ben White. He said: “Public sector funding is essential. Council subsidization means we couldn’t afford to carry on. We want to attract tourists but also appeal to existing students and residents. We need to create a balance between people coming off the boats, and