Arc Theatre debate at Trowbridge Local Area Board

Here is another article in advocacy of The Arc. Do add your voice to the debate with Vice Principle Bev Flanagan at the Trowbridge Area Board on Thursday 17 6.30pm for a 7pm start at Bradley Road council offices. http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/9359060.Arc_takes_centre_stage/

WAP's letter of support of The Arc

Take a look at this letter that WAP sent to the Wiltshire Times in support of the important part The Arc theatre plays Wiltshire. http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/yoursay/letters/9342077.Let_us_help_Arc/

Arc Theatre Trowbridge closure

Many of you may be aware that Wiltshire College have made an announcement that they can nolonger support The Arc Theatre and it will cease to operate as a professional venue from January 2012.

The Arc has been a key part of the arts ecology in Wiltshire as a receiving venue programming professional performance, supporting local producing companies and acting as a platform for many arts professionals, (myself included) as well as providing West Wiltshire with access to professional and community performance. If this resource is lost it will be to the detriment of the arts throughout Wiltshire.

A two month consultation period has been afforded The Arc theatre team to work up some options to present to Wiltshire College's management team. his consultation period ends on November 12.

Do please add your voice to the lobbying of Wiltshire College to retain The Arc as a professional venue. You can write to the Chair Of Governors, Stephen Stone. The Clerk to the Governors is Shirley Raw so any written communication will need to be sent C/O Shirley Raw, Wiltshire College, College Road, Trowbridge, BA14 0ES or by email shirley.raw@wiltshire.ac.uk

There is also an online petition: http://www.petitiononline.co.uk/petition/petition-against-the-proposed-closure-of-the-arc-theatre-trowbridge/3544

Wiltshire College announce closure of The Arc

You may be aware that 2 weeks ago Wiltshire College announced their intention to cease any professional performance at The Arc from January 28 2011. There has been a two month consultation period offered to the Arc team to submit options for a business plan to bridge the current £25,000 subsidy given by the college.

There is a very real risk that the region will lose this professional venue that for 14 years has supported emerging artists, providing a platform for regional, national and international professional performance, a great training platform for students, apprentices and arts professionals and opportunities for community engagement.

Please do write to Chair of Wiltshire College Governors, Mr Steve Stone C/O
Wiltshire College Chippenham Campus, Cocklebury Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 3QD or to Principle Di Dale, di.dale@wiltshire.ac.uk in support of this valuable asset to the arts ecology in Wiltshire.

New WAP Member to exhibit at The Arc

Mike Hill is a Wiltshire Based landscape and fine art photography and is our newest WAP member. You can see and indeed buy some of his work at www.wildgravity.co.uk. Mike will be exhibiting at The Arc Theatre Trowbridge during October. Mike has 18 prints framed and ready to exhibit (and is happy to add more for larger spaces) please do get in touch if you know of any other exhibition opportunities for Mike.

The joy of theatre and dance

Thank you The Arc and the ICIA for programming some fantastic theatre and dance this weekend. I spent Friday night drawn in by the exquisite ability of George Dillon (pictured) to embody many characters within his 90 minute performance of 'The Man Who Was Hamlet'.

Saturday night brought with it the never disapointing Protein Dance this time with LOL a humerous look at the way we engage with 'Social Media!'. http://www.proteindance.co.uk/productions.php

These opinions are my personal and somewhat unlearned ones, but what is important, I think, is that we never forget what it is to be part of an audience!