CALLS have been made for the Artrix Holding Trust to start planning for the popular arts centre’s future now after The Core confirmed it would not be using the main auditorium after the end of March.
Solihull Borough Council announced its main theatre at The Core would need to be closed until at least autumn next year. It has been using Artrix’s auditorium following the discovery of RAAC concrete in The Core’s bigger space.
But it stressed it would not be taking up an option to continue staging its shows at Artrix after March, instead opting to use the remainder of The Core building and other spaces in the borough to offer a range of cultural events for its ‘valued Solihull audience’.
This means Artrix will no longer be needed and would be free for a programme to be put together for audiences in Bromsgrove and further afield.
Those contacting the Standard are seeking reassurances that everything will be done to keep Artrix as an arts venue.
Anita Dale, the chairman of the Artrix Holding Trust, said: “We are in discussions behind the scenes with The Core to see if any performers due to use that venue after March do want to move their shows across, as well as other artists.”
She stressed the importance of the venue having alternative revenue schemes, including daytime use, such as by community groups using it as their new home. She said groups like that were being sought to gauge interest.
“This would then help part-fund our objective here, its use as an arts venue – Artrix needs a solid business plan and to be cost-effective – it needs to, in the best case scenario, break even.
“We can’t keep expecting pumping public money to be pumped into it as has happened in the past.”
She added everyone needed to be on board with the business plan – from the Trust and the council to Bromsgrove Community Arts and others.
She admitted the attendances for The Core’s shows had been ‘amazing’ and they had received some really good feedback.
“The performers love the venue and the atmosphere – they particularly love being so close to the audience.”
Community groups, arts societies and performers which want to use Artrix for their activities should email [email protected] to register their interest and find out more.
