Partnership secures £400,000 to provide pathways into arts

A two-year project designed to bridge the gap between creative education and employment in the Staines area has been awarded £400,000 from Arts Council England.

Using Staines’ new flagship Surrey County Council library, which is set to open by summer 2025, the Staines Culture Hub will establish a programme of creative activities and performances to provide accessible pathways into the arts, and support improved wellbeing.  

The initiative is being run in partnership by Surrey County Council, Spelthorne Borough Council, Ashford Youth Club and Artswork, a charity that works to make arts more accessible.

Susan Doran, Chair of Spelthorne Borough Council's Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee, said: "We are very excited about the establishment of a culture hub for young people here in Spelthorne. 

"Discovering and growing an interest in the arts can be life enriching and the Hub will offer events, courses, workshops and performances for a range of different skills and disciplines with a focus on showing young people the type of career opportunities that are available in this field. 

"It will be a wonderful addition to the existing services for younger residents in our borough."