Agenda and minutes

Simeon Leach, Regeneration Manager, to report.

-  seeking approval for the allocation of £10,000 RERF revenue funding to support the leasing and refurbishment of Westgate Chambers for use by ROAR as studio and rehearsal space.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Regeneration Manager, seeking approval for the allocation of £10,000 from the Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund (RERF) revenue funding to support the leasing and refurbishment of Westgate Chambers, on the top floor of Westgate Buildings, for use by ROAR as studio and rehearsal space.

It was explained that ROAR intended to lease this space and refurbish it to be able to rent out space for a variety of purposes for:-

• Up to 10 low cost Studio spaces for visual artists, as work space. Potentially workspaces may support retail outlets in Imperial Buildings. This will act both as incubator space and development space to support the growth of local creative businesses.
• Flexible workspace to support local creative businesses in the delivery of projects or regular classes e.g. Saturday morning painting class.
• Dedicated rehearsal space for both professional and community performance projects.
• Workshop space for community visual arts and craft projects.
• Supported office space, including hot desking, for local arts organisations, ROAR members and local professional and aspiring artists.

In addition the space would be a base for ROAR to pursue developmental and other projects to generate income for the organisation, e.g. management of networks, management of public art projects and events.

ROAR had been awarded £50,000 from the People’s Millions for funding towards this project, (this was awarded through a popular vote.) However, this funding was conditional on match funding being secured, which is being sought from RERF and must be confirmed by the end of March 2011. 

ROAR were also applying to Arts Council England Grants for £60,000 towards the continuation of the Chief Executive post in ROAR and had been encouraged to apply to the National Portfolio scheme to become Rotherham’s first Regularly Funded Organisation, and were applying for £210,000 over three years from 2012 – 2015 to continue the work of the business and move it to a position of sustainability. 

Details of the funding arrangements were set out in the submitted report.

Resolved:-  That £10,000 of RERF revenue be approved to fund the leasing and refurbishment of space within Westgate Chambers.