Windsor Arts Centre - Closed
Current mood: determined

On Friday 14th December Windsor Arts Centre closed it's doors to public, the response I have received over the last week has been overwhelming, with most people like the staff feeling shocked, frustrated and angry, that this wonderful resource has been taken away.

The most often asked question is why, and to be honest I don't know, I know financially we had big problems, but as staff we were told that we would be ok until the end of January, and at a public meeting on Monday10th December it was stated that we needed (with cut backs) to raise £50,000 by the end of March, the next thing I know was that I was asked to a meeting late on Thursday to be told that the Board of Directors had brought in the administrators and the building will close the next day.Having worked in the Arts sector for 25 years, financial worries are part and parcel of the job, but we have always managed to survive with support from members, volunteers, artists and the general public, my frustration this time round was not enough people new how serious the problem was soon enough.

It is quite clear from the response I have had over the last week that if people had more notice and were aware of the urgency then we would have been able to reach the target needed to keep us open and beyond.

So what next?

There is a website at www.savewindsorartscentre.org where we need as many people as possible to go log there details on the contact us page so that we can keep people informed on further developements and how they can help. We need as many people as possible to leave a comment of support on my myspace page. There is a campign group called WAY (Windsor arts are yours) that will be organising a public meeting on Wednesday 30th January at 7.30pm at Windsor Boys School, if you are interested in attending please let me know in advance so that we know how many people are likely to attend.I know there are many artists wanting to organise benefit nights, if you are interested let me know and I will send you an information pack, also if individuals want to give a donation then again let me know and I will get back to you with details.

If there are artists out there still chasing invoices they need to contact d.tann@nortonsgroup.com, all events pencilled in between January - March will obviously not be taking place, although I am still looking at possible alternatives for the Tommy Fest, so for now this event has been put on hold.

I know Windsor Arts Centre has given many people a great amount of pleasure over the years, and I will be doing everything I can to make sure that Windsor continues having a provision for artists and the local community.

Reagrds

Graham Steel