Arts Programme and Cultural Development

Dagenham Arts Factory

Consultation for the Borough Arts Strategy revealed a great need and desire to see an improved arts infrastructure to support opportunities to participate and excel in arts activity at a local level.

These results formed the basis from which we moved forward with the redevelopment of The Broadway and inclusion of the Gallery in the new Barking Learning Centre.

We are now exploring the possibility for a new, large scale Arts Centre / Factory, possibly in Dagenham or perhaps within the new riverside development.

The new centre would look to consolidate our growing performing arts infrastructure as seen at The Broadway and Castle Green and therefore potentially focus on providing workspace, exhibition, research, production and presentation space for visual and media arts, including painting, sculpture, crafts, video, music and interactive installations that may use a variety of art forms or experimentation.

Locum Destination have been appointed to undertake a feasibility study on our behalf to explore and test the demand at a local, regional, national and international level and the potential to develop a visitor attraction that attracts investment and visitors whilst serving local people and inspiring our young people to become the artists of the future.

At present we are working on the consultation framework, but expect this to include issues around the location and transport issues, type of building and space we can provide and the art forms that will be catered for.

We will also want to explore the opportunities and need for partnerships with schools and higher education providers, with graduate schemes and business support for example, as well as the offer for local organisations, clubs and societies.