Cheltenham creative community to find Axiom replacement at Art Gallery and Museum?
CHELTENHAM'S creative community could find a new home at Cheltenham's Art Gallery & Museum.
A major revamp of the Clarence Street building could create a new area for use as a cultural hub.
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Andrew Lansley
Cheltenham Arts and Music Network has been looking for a long-awaited replacement to the old Axiom building.
Group member Andrew Lansley said: "There have been significant developments with our search for somewhere to act as a hub.
"We have had meetings with the council to discuss a location and they have been positive.
"We know the art gallery is very aware and willing to incorporate the community arts provision in there."
The network was set up earlier this year after a packed-out public meeting at the Town Hall. People who attended said they needed a central hub in which to congregate. It is not known what form the area for the group might take.
Jane Lillystone, museum, arts and tourism manager: "We have not made any definite plans yet. We are still having discussions with many interested groups about use of the various spaces within the new extension, and the arts and music will certainly play an important part in our work."
A steering group for the arts community met in May. It was formed after the first meeting and comprises a 20-strong group, including schools, Town Hall staff and the University of Gloucestershire. The town's arts community has long asked for a base to replace the former Axiom building, which closed in 2000.
Attempts to save the building for the community were in vain and the Winchcombe Street site was sold off for flats five years later. The £6.3 million revamp scheme for the Art Gallery & Museum was given approval in March after a successful grant application meant that more than £5.55m was in place.
Contractors began work this summer and it is hoped that the new building will open in late 2012 or early 2013.
The work will include the provision of extra galleries, new study facilities and space dedicated for education outreach services and arts development.
3 Comments
by donningtondog
Friday, December 09 2011, 4:43PM
“The Axiom may have been sold off for development, but what has happened is that the place has fallen into ruin. The council should make the owner do something about it.”
by MagicalOne
Friday, December 09 2011, 4:15PM
“It is a crying shame that it has been 11 years since the Axiom closed its doors and Cheltenham lost its creative hub. The Axiom was a wondrous place and arts space and the region is all the poorer for the lack of provision for the creative peoples who made it all happen. Look to the future Cheltenham and make space and provision for the creative arts with the facilities needed and required for the folks who design the world .”
by andrewlansley
Friday, December 09 2011, 3:47PM
“I would just like to add to this article that I've not had "meetings with the council" and that I had actually said "members of the Art Gallery are supportive of community arts provisions in Cheltenham"; this - of course - does not represent an official position as the article confirms.
I admire the Gloucestershire Echo for keeping a spotlight on this extremely important , I do not want the opinions and interests of Cheltenham Borough Council and Cheltenham Art Gallery being misrepresented as I do not speak for either organisation, which this piece seems to suggest!
As the piece states, Cheltenham's creative community 'could' find a new home at Cheltenham's Art Gallery and Museum - but no more so than The Quadrangle or any other space being considered for redevelopment anywhere in the town.
Jane Lillystone is correct to assert that nothing is concrete yet and I believe that the fluid nature and flexibility of the Arts Gallery & Museum's development will be key to it's strength as a facility when it is reopened.
As I had been quoted correctly in the Echo last week, anyone who is willing to consider helping provide arts and music provisions for our town has my support regardless of who they are.
Thank you again to the author of this article for ensuring the creative aspirations of the town and it's young people are considered important and worthy of note!
Anyone who would like more information or would like me to clarify the position of the CA&MN - please get in touch on: alansley1980@gmail.com
Thank you.”