Square Chapel Arts Centre Saved!

During these uncertain times, there is hope and light for an arts venue in Halifax, its remaining staff and the community it serves. Square Chapel Arts Centre has been saved after going into administration in March 2020. As of Thursday 3rd of September, Arts At The Mill CIC with the support of Arts Council England and Calderdale Council, became official owners of the much-loved venue in the heart of Halifax. 

Dave Jenkins, Managing Director, said: “Square Chapel is an amazing accessible space, setting and auditorium of creativity and such an important asset for the people of Calderdale. All at Arts At The Mill are incredibly excited and humbled to have been supported both locally and nationally to co-develop the next stages of the arts centre. It has been a hard old time for all in the creative sector and it has been amazing to be able to safeguard the centre’s future and to retain some fantastically talented team members whose experience and links to the community are vitally important as we plan for the reopening. There will be every opportunity to input into the future planning and as new custodians of the arts centre, we are very much ready to listen and support the ambitions of the community, freelancers and artists who have been severely impacted by the Covid-19 Pandemic.”

Dave Jenkins, Managing Director, said: 

“Square Chapel is an amazing accessible space, setting and auditorium of creativity and such an important asset for the people of Calderdale. All at Arts At The Mill are incredibly excited and humbled to have been supported both locally and nationally to co-develop the next stages of the arts centre. It has been a hard old time for all in the creative sector and it has been amazing to be able to safeguard the centre’s future and to retain some fantastically talented team members whose experience and links to the community are vitally important as we plan for the reopening. There will be every opportunity to input into the future planning and as new custodians of the arts centre, we are very much ready to listen and support the ambitions of the community, freelancers and artists who have been severely impacted by the Covid-19 Pandemic.”
 
Pete Massey, Director Yorkshire, Arts Council England said:

“Square Chapel has been an integral part of Halifax’s cultural life for a long time and the Arts Council is delighted that Arts at the Mill will now be taking the organisation forward. At a time when things are incredibly tough for many arts organisations, it’s great to see such a well-established institution being saved from closure. Arts at the Mill is an ideal fit with Square Chapel and Halifax, and I can’t wait to visit again to experience some fantastic performance work when circumstances allow. We were delighted to see Calderdale Council reaffirm their commitment to the venue and acknowledge that this rescue would not have been possible without the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.”

Cllr Susan Press, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, said:

“Calderdale is well known for its distinctive arts and culture. We know how much value Square Chapel brings to our community and our economy, and what an important part it plays in people’s lives. We are delighted to be working with Arts At The Mill to secure its future as an arts centre for everyone to enjoy once it reopens.”

Square Chapel is known for the support from its high-profile patrons and that continues with the announcement of two additional supporters from the world of music. BBC Radio 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins and International DJ Graeme Park were familiar faces at the arts centre over the years, they are now both pledging their support by accepting the role of patron across Square Chapel Arts Centre and The Old Courts in Wigan.



Chris Hawkins, Early Breakfast presenter from BBC Radio 6 Music, said: “Square Chapel holds many great memories for me. It’s incredibly exciting to be part of this special venue’s future.”

Graeme Park, Broadcaster and Original Hacienda DJ, said: “I have had great nights DJing at both Square Chapel in Halifax and The Old Courts in Wigan. I am excited to become a patron of these two wonderful venues and look forward to working with them in the coming months.”

Graeme Park and Chris Hawkins join Sally Wainwright, Reece Dinsdale, Adil Ray, Natalie Gavin, Francis Lee, Dame Penelope Wilton, Ian Puleston-Davies, Dame Carol-Anne Duffy and Timothy West as patrons of the much-loved arts centre located in the Halifax cultural quarter.

Like many venues in the arts and music industry, Square Chapel relies on the support of its community and patrons. The organisation is launching a ‘New Chapter’ donation fund via its website for anyone wishing to support the organisation especially during these uncertain times. To find out more, visit www.squarechapel.co.uk