Latest news with #communityspace
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘A superb place to sit and enjoy': Ballarat church could be reborn as performing arts hub — if artists can raise $2m
Hundreds of people packed the pews of the main chapel of Ballarat's Neill Street Uniting church for its final service in February 2023. But some in the congregation, which had been meeting on the site since it began as a Methodist church in 1861, could already see its next life. Jill Loveland, whose family's involvement with the church dates back to the late 1800s, says her father, Winston Loveland – who was an active member of the church for 96 years – always said the space should be used for performing arts. 'He knew there were lots of buildings to maintain and that it would become unsustainable at some point,' Loveland says. 'So he openly expressed that he thought it would become a wonderful performing arts venue long before there was talk of the church closing. 'He could see how the acoustics of the main church and the beautiful interior were just superb for a place to sit and enjoy.' When the church came up for sale, a group of local creatives saw it as an opportunity to form an association aimed at supporting and developing the local performing arts scene. And so the Ballarat Performing Arts Community was born. 'Members of the church community didn't want to see it sold privately,' says Bpac's general manager, Beth Lamont. 'They were really hoping to see it continue as a community space and they were fully in support of arts organisations using it. 'It just so happens that all of the arts organisations want to use it.' Lamont says the association approached the church and successfully secured a licence agreement in July 2024. Since then, the site has become a community hub for about 20 creative organisations and more than 90 individuals. The Neill Street site has one church, two halls, a caretaker's cottage and 3,000 sq m of land. Its main chapel boasts a 19th-century Fincham and Hobday pipe organ and is one of the largest organs in Ballarat. The space is now being used for performances, mentoring, galas and events. Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning But once the lease expires in February 2026, the property will again go up for private sale. 'The church has a lot of properties and they're hoping to consolidate,' Lamont says. Bpac is on a mission to raise $2m to secure the future of its home base through a dedicated crowdfunding appeal. So far, it has raised just $38,000. The organisation is asking people to pledge to make a contribution after the appeal ends on 31 October – but only if it receives enough pledges to make the full amount. Jeff Moran, a board member and appeal director, says they are approaching clubs, advertising, campaigning to government and philanthropic institutions and staging galas and events to help raise the funds. 'The church has said we'll let you lease it on the understanding that after the lease period we purchase it for a stated price of $2m,' Moran says. 'In good faith, we're setting out to raise it. Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion 'Every dollar counts. We need to be known in the community. We've got to do absolutely everything and as far and wide as we can.' Loveland says if the property was to stand vacant, it ran the risk of becoming derelict and falling into disrepair. 'The developer could make use of it, but at what cost? How long would it take … given there was no sign of interest during the first round?' she says. 'I think good on Bpac for giving it their best shot. 'It would be a pity to have so much potential [wasted].' Tim Ryan, a Bpac board member, says the sites on the property – including the chapel, which seats 300, and the main hall, which seats 150 – would suit organisations seeking more affordable and intimate venues. 'That's a really important part of that fabric of performing arts where you can have that laboratory to try things out and we can do that here,' he says. 'There's this diversity of space which creates this diversity of product.' The City of Ballarat's community infrastructure plan says the city should investigate the need for a new live performance venue of less than 300 seats. The city's director of economy and experience, Martin Darcy, says they have been working closely with Bpac about their plans for the church. 'All requests for funding must be assessed through a rigorous process which is either connected to a grants program, budget process or a council-approved action from a strategy,' he says. He added that the strategy 'outlines council's commitment to support the theatre and performing arts, as well as all creative communities in the city'. Ryan says Bpac aims to 'be a voice' lobbying for greater support for the performing arts in the regional city. 'There's still lots of work to be done, especially around diversity in the arts, but at least we acknowledge that there's a bit of a gap and we've got to work towards that,' he says
CBS News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
A highway underpass in Boston has become a hotspot for art, exercise and community
A highway underpass in Boston's South End has been transformed into a lively and welcoming community space. The Underground at the Ink Block is an 8-acre parcel of land underneath Interstate 93 that's been re-imagined into an exercise space and art gallery. "It was kind of a dead space underneath an overpass. And now it's a usable space that actually goes and threads it, and connects it to the neighborhood next door," said Matthew Dickey, the deputy director for the Boston Preservation Alliance. "You're surrounded by art on one side and water on the other, and you're like,' huh, nice place to be," Dickey has a significant presence online as an artist, photographer and self-described "streetscape curator" who connects people and places. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of Boston, including the artists who painted many of the murals there. There are several different murals on the 8 acre site. CBS Boston "We're just looking at this concrete overpass, but yet you throw some art on it and now it's immensely more inviting," he said about one of the murals. Underground also has an off-leash dog park and a pickleball court. "It exists to be a little happy surprise when you're just strolling and you don't expect to see it," Dickey said. "I think it also is a timestamp that is here for everybody to see." Underground at the Ink Block is best accessed from Traveler Street in the South End and the South Bay Harbor Trail. For more information, click here.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Inner city Liverpool riding school 'won't give up' despite funding shortfall
A riding school that provides discount pony lessons to inner city children "means everything" to the young people involved, its boss has said. Park Palace Ponies in Dingle, Liverpool, will close on 28 June if it does not raise the nearly £300,000 it needs to secure funding for three have now been given redundancy notices but chairwoman Pamela Allen said they "won't give up without a fight".A fundraising campaign earlier this year raised £4,000, which covered public liability insurance and a riding school licence. The school offers riding lessons to children between the ages of five and is funded by the lessons and had also been relying on donations from a benefactor since it was made a charity last September, but the Good Samaritan can no longer afford to support the school amid rising school previously said it had applied for grants. 'Community purpose' Ms Allen said: "This has been a heartbreaking time."But we're not giving up without a fight. "This space means everything to our young people and our wider community. This is our city." Set up in 2017, the charity has won several awards for its work, including a Queen's Award for Voluntary Karen Scott said: "This is about more than horses. "This is about saving a community space that brings joy, purpose, and unity." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Closure of PMT in Oxford described as 'terrible' and 'a shock'
The closure of a popular musical instrument shop has been described as an "invaluable loss" to Music Technology (PMT) on Cowley Road is one of 11 stores to close down after the retailer entered administration on 11 shop has served the likes of Radiohead and Supergrass and was previously saved from closure after plans to build a restaurant were Nick Cope, who runs music sessions for children and their families in the county, said it had been "a community space for all the bands". "They were always so helpful and it's going to be sorely missed," he said. Gary Good has run musical instrument shop The Music Box on Cowley Road for 27 years and said the news was "a bit of a shock"."You can't do everything online, you can't repair a guitar online - you need a shop to get it to to get it repaired," he said. "We're all struggling with it."Customer Rajeev Bhattacharyya said the value of music instrument shops was "the expertise, the knowledge and the advice you get"."It just feels nice walking into a shop like this, it's part of the Oxford experience," he said, adding that PMT's closure was "terrible"."It's not just about commerce, it's about lifestyle, it's about encouraging children and people to take up music," he said. "It's an invaluable loss." Mr Cope said he would visit PMT with members of his former Oxford band The Candyskins."You would always bump into another member of an Oxford band there, it was a real hub," he said."It is really helpful having a place like that on the high street or on the Cowley Road to get some sort of ideas of equipment that's out there."Mr Cope said it was "fantastic" that The Music Box was still there and wished "best of luck" to PMT staff. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Town Hall gardens £10m revamp inspired by Southport victims
Southport's Town Hall gardens are to undergo a major £10m revamp inspired by Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Aguiar, and Bebe aged seven, Alice, nine, and Bebe, six, were killed in the Southport knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in shared love of dance, music and the arts have inspired the vision for a new town square and community space which will act as a "thank you" to people of Southport for their support in the aftermath of the families hope the space in the heart of the town centre "will become a legacy inspired by our three beautiful and amazing girls" and loved by many generations to come. Elsie, Alice and Bebe's families envision the space as a safe and joyful place, full of energy and creative expression, particularly for Southport's younger said the project, which will be a platform for performers and include regular family-friendly events, was "rooted in love, resilience and unity"."It will be a place of joy, hope and community. A vibrant place where children and families can feel safe, connected and celebrated in the heart of our town," the families said."We wanted to find a way to thank the people of Southport for standing shoulder to shoulder with us.""Your compassion has never wavered and your strength has helped carry us forward." Sefton Council and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority have both provided £2.5m for the project with the government allocating £5m to the families thanked Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Sefton Council as well as Liverpool City Region Combined Authority "for listening to our voices and helping us achieve the funding we need for this project".They added: "This is only the beginning, and we all walk forward together with our amazing community in Southport, with purpose and hope."Rayner said: "The strength of everyone in Southport has been beyond words and I am delighted we are able to help with the families' vision to give back to that amazing community, who continue to give everything they can to those families and victims."We are committing £5m to help create a safe community space for connection, reflection, and renewal - a lasting symbol of hope, guided by the strength of the families and wider community."Leader of Sefton Council, councillor Marion Atkinson, said: "A space for joy, culture, and togetherness will reflect Elsie, Alice, and Bebe's vibrancy in a beautifully positive way. "The Town Hall gardens and the Atkinson were where the community came together in their grief, demonstrating Southport's incredible strength."It was a place of togetherness then, it is a place of togetherness now, and it will be for years to come."The regeneration will create a dynamic, family-friendly stage for creativity, celebrating the love for dance and the arts that meant so much to the girls."Southport's MP Patrick Hurley said: "This legacy project, to renovate, refurbish and remodel the gardens outside The Atkinson will be a nod to their memory and a flare of bright optimism for the future of Southport."He said the community gathered "spontaneously and collectively" in the gardens outside The Atkinson, "standing defiantly in the face of evil".The Labour MP added: "So it is fitting that as time goes on, these gardens are at the heart of the proposal for the renewal of Southport, not just to acknowledge the awful events of July, but more importantly, to recognise the spirit of the town, its people and the families of those affected in bringing Southport back into the light." Metro mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said: "Few places capture the heart and soul of a community quite like Southport's Town Hall gardens."It became a place of reflection, resilience and unity where thousands came together to grieve, to support one another, and to stand as one."He said: "This regeneration is a powerful opportunity to give something back to that same community; a lasting symbol of hope and joy."By putting children, families and the arts at its core, we're creating a space that honours the memory of Elsie, Alice and Bebe in the most meaningful way: by inspiring future generations." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
