History

Worcester Arts Workshop was started in 1974 by a group of visual artists who wanted a place to meet and show their work. Over the years, other artists and performers joined them, temporary premises were found, and workshops were run by volunteers in arts, crafts, drama and dance.

The present building was found as a derelict shell in 1979 and occupied unofficially. Eventually, the landlords (then Hereford and Worcester County Council, now Worcestershire County Council) agreed to offer a lease and over a quarter of a million pounds was raised to renovate and adapt it. The work began in 1983 but while the underground theatre was being excavated, the front wall of the building fell down. The building finally opened for business in 1987 following a three-year wrangle with insurers, although activities continued elsewhere and a tradition of working in the community established.

The management of the Workshop was initially taken on by a volunteer committee and staffing gradually became professionalised. The Workshop achieved charitable status in 1983. Core and project funding was sought, resulting in revenue funding status being achieved with both Worcester City Council and West Midlands Arts (now superseded by Arts Council England, West Midlands). The Workshop became a charitable company limited by guarantee in 1989.

The Workshop has been one of Arts Council England, West Midlands’ Key Regional Organisations but, following a comprehensive review of their criteria for funding organisations in 2007, the Workshop no longer receives revenue funding although it is important to note that this is not as a result of any criticism of the Workshop’s performance.

The need for drastic budget cuts by Worcester City Council in 2009 has also led to the loss of their revenue funding. This has inevitably resulted in a considerable re-structuring of the company. In many ways, this has taken us full-circle to a structure not too dissimilar to the early days! Staffing now consists of a manager and caretaker, ably assisted by enthusiastic volunteers, with artists for classes, workshops and other activities employed on a freelance or sessional basis as appropriate.

However, despite these not inconsiderable set-backs, the Workshop remains a key promoter and supporter of innovative and exciting arts activities in Worcester and the surrounding areas and, with the goodwill and help of the local arts community, is looking forward to a successful and sustainable future.