Consultation Respondents Appendix 2
Consultation Respondents
Consultation on the key issues and opportunities laid out in this strategy was
carried out in the following ways:
• Venues Group (Alban Arena, Maltings Arts Theatre, Sandpit Theatre, Trestle Arts
Base, Abbey Theatre, UH Arts) via meeting
• St Albans Arts Forum via meeting
• Access Group via meeting
• Community Forum via focus group meetings
• Individual artists through surveys
• General public through e-forum
• Young People through St Albans Youth Council Survey
• Larks in the Parks attendees through surveys
• Audience members via surveys at Maltings Arts Theatre, Alban Arena and Abbey
Theatre
• Arts Strategy Working Group meetings -members include Leisure Development
Officer (Arts), Major Projects Officer, Development Team Co-ordinator (Leisure
Connection), Collections Manager (Museums), Planning Officer, Tourism
Development Officer, Economic Development Officer, Council Member, County
Arts Development Officer, local practicing artist
Organisations responding to surveys were:
Abbey Theatre Trust/ Company of Ten Lodge Learning Arts Association
Abbey Gateway Orchestra Maltings Arts Theatre
Alban Arena Music Workshop Company
Amadeus Chamber Orchestra Penny Waterman School of Dance
Artworks Realm of Music
Best Theatre Arts Redbourn Players
Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban Society for Disabled Artists
Development Team, Leisure Connection St Albans Art Society
English Camerata St Albans Bach Choir
English Miscellany Folk Dance Group St Albans Cathedral Education Centre
Hardynge Choir St Albans Chamber Opera
Hertfordshire Chorus St Albans Festival for the Performing Arts
Hertfordshire Philharmonia Orchestra St Albans Folk Music
Herts Foto Forum St Albans School/ Muse Machine Theatre
Herts Visual Arts Forum Group
HVAF Open Studios St Albans Symphony Orchestra
Island of Art St Albans U3A
Lanternfish Theatre Company Trestle Theatre Company
Lemonrock Music Guide UHArts
Let’s Dance University of Hertfordshire Galleries
Ver Poets
Arts Strategy Survey Results Appendix 3
Arts Strategy survey results
Out of a total of 1,300 surveys distributed, 552 were returned (a 42% return rate).
Surveys were sent to samples of Alban Arena, Maltings Arts Theatre and Abbey
Theatre audiences, to local arts organisations and artists. Surveys were also carried out
at a community event, Larks in the Parks.
The St Albans Youth Council also carried out a survey which incorporated some
questions on young people’s current participation in, and needs with regards to, the
arts. These are summarised at the end of this document.
The surveys were tailored to each group, but there were common questions. In
assessing common data we found that in total:
A: Diversity
1. 26% of respondents were male, 74% female.
2. 37% were aged over 55. Only 9% of respondents were under 35 and there were
as few as 0.36% between 20-24 years of age, which demonstrates a need to
engage with this group of the population.
3. Nearly 98% of respondents described their ethnic group as white British. Less
than 2% were White Irish, 0.3% Black Caribbean and 0.5% Chinese. There were
no respondents from the Mixed or Asian groups. This shows very clearly that
minority ethnic groups are not being reached by the arts in the district.
4. 53% were unemployed and 36% retired. Only 3% were at school or college,
which probably reflects the age of contacts on databases, more than attendance
at venues.
5. The surveys at Larks in the Parks showed a marked difference in the age group
attending this kind of community event, with 57% under the age of 35, and 35%
under the age of 19.
6. 47% agreed or strongly agreed that arts from different cultures contribute a lot to
this area. However, 13% disagreed or strongly disagreed.
B: Access
1. 48% lived less than 3 miles from the venue or event, but 25% lived between 7
and 12 miles away.
2. 68% of Alban Arena, Maltings Arts Theatre and Abbey Theatre audience
respondents were from the district, over ¾ of whom came from St Albans. Only
14% came from Harpenden, 4% from Park Street, 2% from Redbourn, 2% from
Bricket Wood, 1% from London Colney and less than 1% from Wheathampstead.
1
Arts Strategy Survey Results Appendix 3
Most of the remaining respondents came from neighbouring towns and villages in
Herts and Beds, especially Watford and Hemel Hempstead. A few came from
North London, and there were a couple from as far away as Surrey or Kent.
3. There were considerably more organisations targeting children and young people
than other target groups. Many organisations have an open access policy, but do
not actively target any of these groups.
4. The reasons most stated as obstacles to attending more events were:
a) Costs too much
b) difficult to find time
c) family pressures.
C: Development of resources
1. Respondents at Larks in the Parks thought that the Arts could most improve their
community environment through more community events and opportunities to
participate locally.
2. 54% of people thought that some arts facilities were available locally. 36%
thought that all facilities were available. The facilities considered not available
were:
Public gallery
Cinema
Craft fairs
Good quality concert hall
3. The most favoured improvements to facilities were:
Alban Arena:
1. Improved comfort of auditorium (including air-conditioning, more leg room)
2. Better value for money (no on-line booking charges)
3. Better advanced information (suggestions included a better website)
Other items scoring highly were better parking and change in type of
performances, and some suggestions were:
a) more efficient, better staffed, and cheaper bar
b) Café open before show
c) Refurbishment of whole venue
d) More toilets
e) More modern live bands
f) More theatre (including touring West End, more classical)
g) More good films (with more matinees and longer runs)
h) Art exhibitions
i) Improvement in acoustic
j) More use by local groups
k) Comedy, cabaret, poetry
2
Arts Strategy Survey Results Appendix 3
l) Live street theatre outside
Maltings Arts Theatre:
1. Better advanced information
2. Improved comfort of auditorium (especially temperature, and for disabled
people)
3. Change in type of show
Better value for money also scored highly. Other suggested improvements
included:
a) Poetry readings/ talks
b) stand-up comedy/
c) Classical chamber concerts
d) more variety of jazz
e) Performances for children aged 10+
f) More quality plays/musicals and traditional productions
g) More info on each show
h) More shows (and more at weekends and matinees)
i) holiday activities for children
j) better access and support to local groups
Abbey Theatre:
1. Improved comfort of auditorium
2. Better advanced information
3. Better Parking
Other suggested improvements included:
a) Daytime performances
b) Professional shows
c) More use by community groups
d) concerts
Town Hall
Suggested improvements included:
a) More live shows/ performances
b) Gallery space
c) Cheaper hire rates
d) Comedy and music
Harpenden Public Halls
Suggested improvements included:
a) More live shows/ events
b) Recitals and poetry/ book readings
c) Quality professional shows
Museum of St Albans
Suggested improvements included:
3
Arts Strategy Survey Results Appendix 3
a) More exhibitions of local artists’ work (historic and contemporary)
b) Theatre based on history
D: Support for the arts:
1. 91% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that everyone should have the
opportunity to participate in arts activities.
2. 76% felt that the arts played a valuable role in their life, only 4% disagreed.
3. 93% of people agreed or strongly agreed that people living here would lose
something of value if they could no longer access arts and cultural services.
4. 35% said they had attended no arts events in the last 12 months, but 33% had
attended over 6 events.
5. The most popular kinds of events were films, plays and live music concerts (other
than jazz, or orchestral)
6. Audiences on average had seen 4 performances at the venue in the past 12
months.
7. The most attended venues over the last 12 months were London venues and St
Albans Cathedral. 22% had attended the Alban Arena, 20% the Maltings Arts
Theatre, and 18% the Abbey Theatre. Only 6% had been to either the Margaret
Harvey Gallery or the Sandpit Theatre.
8. The kind of activities which people at Larks in the Parks most took part in were
drama or dance classes, but they were most interested in attending art and craft
workshops, or playing a musical instrument.
9. Most people had come to the Larks in the Parks for ‘family entertainment’
E: Development of local arts sector:
1. There were 43 responses from organisations and 50 from artists.
2. 78% of respondents had received no funding at all for their arts activities in the
past 12 months, demonstrating a need to improve awareness of, and support
with accessing, external funding.
However, the remaining respondents had raised £475,000 from funding sources
for their arts activities in the past 12 months, demonstrating the contribution that
the arts are able to make to the local economy.
The vast majority of funding had been raised from ACE or Awards for All. There
are still many untapped resources for the arts.
4
Arts Strategy Survey Results Appendix 3
3. Respondents prioritised the following areas of support from the Arts
Development Team:
1. Funding
2. Marketing and promotion
3. Affordable venue and Workshop hire
The following suggestions were also made:
o Gallery space for displaying/selling local artists work
o Clash list
o More community use of venues
o Cinema
o Support for local writers
o Co-ordination of marketing and publicity
o Newsletter
o Good concert hall
o Support with licences for live music
o Information about opportunities
o Promotion of classical music
o Transport
o Access to equipment
o Activities for young people- young writers competition?
o Project initiatives
4. 38% of organisations and artists were not already represented on the Arts
Forum, and 52% expressed an interest in being represented.
F: Young People
The St Albans Youth Council distributed surveys to all secondary schools in the district.
453 surveys were returned. Young people were asked a number of questions which
included the following:
1. What new facility do you think young people most need in St Albans?
The most requested facility was a cinema, with 43% of respondents stating this as the
most needed facility.
2. What kind of clubs for young people would you like to see more of?
Although Sports Clubs were most requested (11% of respondents), drama and dance
clubs were requested by 7% of respondents, more arts, crafts and drama clubs by 6%
and music clubs and gigs by 5%. 7% of young people wanted more youth clubs. An
under 18s night club was requested by 6% of respondents.
3. The most popular activities currently among young people were cinema,
swimming, socialising and bowling. On average young people socialised 6 times per
month, took part in music activities 3 times per month, went swimming or took part in
dance activities twice per month and went to the cinema nearly twice per month,
although they went bowling less than once per month.
4. Young people were asked if there were activities that they would like to
O
participate in but currently don’t. ne of the activities young people most wanted to
5
Arts Strategy Survey Results Appendix 3
take part in was dance (5% of respondents), arts and crafts and drama activities were
also popular (almost 5%). The reasons stated most often for not participating currently
were lack of time and lack of local facilities and clubs.
5. Over 38% of young people liked to listen to R&B music, 33% prefered rock
music, and 32% rock, with 19% prefering to listen to hip hop.
6. The majority of respondents (44%) thought that £4-8 was a reasonable price for
a young person to pay for a local music event, with the majority (30%) saying that the
maximum amount they would pay would be between £9 and £15.
6
SWOT Analysis Appendix 4
SWOT Analysis: The Arts in St Albans City and District
Arts Forum/ Arts Strategy Working group/ Access Group / Community Forum/
Theatre venues group
Strengths
• The number and diversity of local arts and community arts organisations and creative
people/events
• Cultural history of City- Tourism, the Market, Town Hall, Abbey, Museums Service
• Well-managed small theatre venue- Maltings Arts Theatre with good regional profile
• Established events: Childwickbury Arts Fair, St Albans Festival, Herts Visual Arts
Forum Open Studios, Organ Festival
• We have an Arts Development Officer and new Arts Development Team within Leisure
Management Contract
• Local Art faculty (University Herts) and UH Galleries
• STARTS/ SACHA
• Enthusiasm and passion for the arts
• Disabled access to some facilities e.g. MAT, Trestle
• Thriving pub music scene
• Management’s fresh view of programming at Alban Arena
• Experienced Leisure Management contractor in St Albans
• Good track-record of fundraising
• Experience of partnership working
• Legacy of FUZE
• Pantomime at Alban Arena
• Lots of venues presenting a wide variety of work/artforms
• Loyal audiences
• Location of district- good transport links, proximity to London (brings audiences/companies
from outside district)
• Presence of Trestle Theatre Company in area- an internationally recognised company
• Trestle performances and projects- by disabled and integrated groups e.g. Graeae and
community project
Weaknesses
• Lack of galleries
• Lack of transport/ parking/ introduction of car parking charges
• Lack of interest from media, poor publicity
• No focused arts centre for all arts
• Lack of cinema
• Lack of affordable studio space and rehearsal space
• Lack of and neglect of existing public art or knowledge of existing public art/
community involvement in public art
• Perception that the arts is too high brow/ exclusive
• Public are uninformed about the arts
• Lack of information/ awareness
• Inaccessibility of some facilities for disabled people/ Lack of awareness of
accessibility of council venues
• Not enough signed/ audio-visual performances- Expense of providing BSL signed
performances, with no guaranteed attendance from deaf community
• Location of Maltings Arts Theatre and lack of signposting to venues
1
SWOT Analysis Appendix 4
• Low profile of venues and events
• Lack of live literature and dance performances- partly due to lack of experience of
presenting this kind of work.
• Restrictive rules concerning opening studios (e.g. can’t open on a Sunday, Commerical
rates demanded on the house containing the studio)
• No arts newsletter
• Clashes in music events
• Margaret Harvey Gallery not accessible for local artists
• Should be more performance spaces
• Lack of foreign language literature
• Lack of long-term vision/risk-taking
• Insular or isolated groups
• Outdated venues
• Lack of arts infrastructure in county
• Difficult for wheelchair users to spontaneously come to events
• Lack of attendance at some venues by young people.
• Lack of information about what local community need/want from the venue.
• Cost and time involved in running training for volunteers.
• Local community arts groups feeling threatened as their bookings are not secured in the
new contract.
Opportunities
• STARTS- opportunity to discuss the wider issues and a way forward
• New publicity outlets e.g. Promotion of accessibility of arts venues through Access
Guide on council’s website and booklet/ Advertising events in the talking newspaper,
DISH newsletter, CVS newsletter/ Radio/ The Market- increase interest in art and
artists.
• Cross promotion (market, business, retail)
• Building links with Community Groups (e.g. disabilities, BME) for audience
development
• Better use of technology e.g. Use of electronic signer/video signing
• Developing links with local businesses (through City Centre Management Board,
Chamber of Commerce, the Enterprise Agency, Business Link)
• Building communities through local art projects and events: e.g. Trestle’s community
projects and summer school, Larks in the Parks
• Greater centralisation of information
• Childwickbury Arts Fair
• Emerging project ideas: Arts and craft market in Wheathampstead, Mobile gallery, Prize
scheme/ open competition
• Cheap Studios to rent in suburbs
• Use of empty buildings for arts projects
• Fusion events
• Emerging local arts forum, newsletter and Herts Creative Network
• Town Hall- potential for display and sale of artwork and programming of arts events
• Emerging partnership between museum and University
• Bringing in more external funding/sponsorship
• Legacy of FUZE- expanding diversity of audience and programming
• New development team with funding- opportunity to do more cross-agenda work
• Programming development at Harpenden Public Halls
• Involvement in county-wide partnership initiatives including Green Heart
• New education officer at UH Galleries
2
SWOT Analysis Appendix 4
• Cinema development
• Working cross-agenda (e.g. building on Youth Action Programme)
• Re-organisation of tourism/ marketing
• Venues networking group and Herts/beds small-scale venues consortium
• Olympics 2012
• Developing our established events
• Aid exhibition displays with pictograms and symbols for people with learning disabilities
• Making contact with shop mobility to make outside events accessible
• Providing seating at exhibitions.
• Ensure that displays are well-lit or where necessary providing alternative display for people
with visual impairment following RNIB guidelines (large print/ interpretation material)
• Ensuring that any steps to access buildings are well lit
• Regular audience surveys- shared info across venues.
• Developing relationship with different departments/authorities e.g. police and licensing to
enable regular programme for Young People in a safe environment.
• New staff expertise at MAT- develop programming of live literature
• Developing shared training courses for technical staff/volunteers.
• Temporary public art at venues?
• Uncovering of mosaic at Alban Arena.
• Continue to support local community arts groups through venues, technical support,
marketing etc.
• Develop the profile of venues and district through programming nationally renowned shows.
• Expanding use of meeting space by local business at arts venues.
Threats
• Proximity to London
• Lack of funding/ opposition to expenditure.
• Drink culture and night –time economy
• Land prices/cost of living in the area
• Council’s lack of interest in the arts.
• Indifference of public/ Lethargy
• Conceptualism in the Visual Arts
• Many practical courses (e.g. pottery) being closed due to expense.
• Concessions on courses severely reduced.
• Number of commuters
• University of Herts.
• New Dunstable Venue
• Arts is a non-statutory service
• Lack of communication between departments
• New licensing act
• Perception of area as affluent (difficult to access funding) but pockets of deprivation
• Poor public transport network and lack of parking
• Olympics 2012
• Loss of marketing opportunities e.g. bus stops, car park posters
• Absence of events or city centre management
• Problems with programming events for YP- licensing issues. E.g. under 18s clubnight
Items in bold were cited more than once.
3
E-forum Results Appendix 5
St Albans: Have your say
Arts and Grounds Maintenance in St
Albans
Research Study Conducted by MORI for
St Albans District City and District
Council
The Arts in St Albans
Key priorities in the arts for St Albans City and District Council
Respondents suggested a number of alternative key priorities for the arts in St Albans. In
general, respondents favoured an active and diverse arts scene, and in general their comments
reflected a desire for the council to extend the availability of activities on offer, and the variety of
people attending.
My own preference is for the Council to have an active arts
programme, with funding allocated to match: rather more active,
and rather more funding, than at present.
Resident, male
I agree that the Council should seek to extend arts activities more
widely throughout the district both geographically and in terms of
the range of people participating/attending.
Resident, female
As a community need to look at how we can take events out into
the villages and local estates so residents can engage in and take
part in the arts and entertainment events.
Resident, male
1
E-forum Results Appendix 5
Linked to this concern with extending participation and diversity, respondents noted that some
arts events in the city appeared to be mainly enjoyed by older residents, and black and ethnic
minority (BME) residents are also seen to be under represented in arts events.
I particularly noticed at the first concert put on in the Old Town
Hall by the new Realm of Music organisation that the average age
of the audience must have been about 60. As far as I could see
there were no people from ethnic minority communities.
Local association, male
A common theme throughout the discussion is the desire for effective communications, which
would give residents good information about the variety of different arts related events on offer
in the local area.
As a Harpenden resident I have to say I'm not really aware of what
events are taking place NOW at Harpenden Public Hall. If events
do take place there (and I assume they do), publicity for them is
almost non-existent.
Local resident, male
I have to say I am not aware of a lot of what goes on in St Albans
regarding the Arts. I can't say I have ever felt aware of what may
be happening apart from the odd poster advertising something at
the Alban Arena … Maybe a dedicated website or area on a site
so you can see all the things on for that current month for all
aspects of the Arts.
Local resident, female
Without some publicity, many people may not find things easily in
St Albans. We lived in the area for 4 years before we discovered
the location of some of the Roman relics of the city.
Resident, female
How should the Council support local arts groups and organisations?
A wide variety of arts societies and events are perceived to be on offer in St Albans, though St
Albans Arts (STARTS) suggested that more could be done to support local groups, and
reported a high level of interest in their pressure group:
Since STARTS was formed a few months ago there have been
about 200 expressions of interest and more are coming in all the
time. A street petition was signed by many dozens of people in
just two short sessions.
Local association, male
Theatre and drama: Strengths and weaknesses in St Albans
Respondents were particularly positive about the Maltings and Abbey theatres, and a number
commended the variety of programmes on offer:
I think we are served extremely well in St Albans with both the
Abbey and Maltings theatres.
Local resident, male
2
E-forum Results Appendix 5
The Maltings Arts theatre is the one place in the city that one can
go and see a varied programme - one that also includes music. I
do not profess to like ALL I have seen, but if it appears interesting,
then I will 'give it a go'.
Local resident, male
However, again respondents noted that there was a lack of decent signage to the venues
It is a shame that there are small audiences for some productions;
maybe better signage would help.
Local resident, male
I must agree that the location of the Maltings theatre is very poorly
advertised. I have lived in St Albans and Harpenden for over 10
years but must admit, that if asked for directions I would be at a
loss to describe exactly where the theatre was.
Local resident, male
More advertising regarding productions at The Abbey Theatre,
Maltings Arts Theatre and Trestle Arts is needed. The two latter
venues are difficult to locate - especially for visitors to St Albans.
Local resident, female
Festivals and events: Strengths and weaknesses in St Albans
Respondents on the whole felt that there were a wide range of festivals and events available in
St Albans. In particular, the International Organ Festival, and the St Albans Festival were
mentioned in a positive light.
The St Albans Festival is the one event that appears to offer a
wide-range of activities and associated events.
Local resident, male
The International Organ Festival is one of the great strengths and
brings performers and events of the high standards to the district.
We are fortunate indeed to have it.
Local resident, male
A number of comments were made about the scheduling of the events, and some respondents
felt that having such events in a bi-yearly pattern tended to make promotion difficult. A lack of
coordination is an issue which also surfaces in the discussion of visual art in St Albans, below.
Folk at the Festival finds it difficult to promote our festive events
because of the Festival being two yearly and people forget about
us in the intervening years. We presume that it is two yearly to fit
in with the organ festival which is also two yearly. I would like to
suggest that St Albans Festival becomes yearly, as the overlap
with the organ festival is negligible.
Local association, female
Respondents were also positive about the quality of the firework displays held in St Albans.
3
E-forum Results Appendix 5
As far as quality is concerned, the display in Verulamium Park in
November each year, organised under the auspices of the Abbey,
strikes me as superb.
Local resident, male
I always enjoyed the actual firework display and felt it good value
for money. The worst thing was trying to leave the park afterwards
as the people just surge out and it takes forever to even get near
an exit.
Local resident, female
Visual arts: Strengths and weaknesses in St Albans?
In terms of the strengths of the visual arts in St Albans, respondents felt that there is a great
deal of diversity of arts and craft clubs and associations throughout the town
Pots of Art in Holywell Hill provides great opportunity to those who
want to paint pottery to do so and a fun way of spending time
during the day or evening. Especially good for children. In
Wheathampstead, a new art gallery and coffee shop showing
Scottish artists is proving very popular.
Local association, female
One of the 'strengths' of the visual arts which springs to mind are
the dozens of artists working in studios and homes, producing
high quality work. A second strength is the programme of touring
exhibitions organised by the University of Hertfordshire. .Despite
the laudable efforts of the University … STARTS agrees … that
the city should have a new, purpose-built, centrally located gallery.
The absence of such a gallery is one of the major weaknesses.
Local association, male
The museum and the Maltings are fine for art exhibitions, but I
think that a venue designed and built specifically for the purpose
of exhibiting artwork and music etc. is a great idea.
Local resident, male
However, this creativity did not appear to be supported by a permanent venue within which
residents could display their work, or go to see national collections.
My main comment would have to be that we do rather lack a
decent, central gallery space in St Albans … Lack of a venue must
mean that we miss out on touring shows that are made available
by the Arts Council and others.
Local resident, male
A more permanent purpose built gallery for the artists of St Albans
- of which there any many - is an absolute must!!
Local resident, female
Moreover, respondents also commented on the lack of public sculpture in St Albans.
The city centre is a barren area as far as this is concerned
Local association, male
4
E-forum Results Appendix 5
Another criticism made by respondents is the lack of coordination between different art societies
in St Albans.
As a resident of St Albans for over 40 years, and someone who
attends Theatre and Art's events regularly, I have not found to
much evidence of groups working together. Singers, Artists,
Potters, and other Crafts all form their own groups, and promote
their own shows and events
Local resident, female
Film, video and cinema: Strengths and weaknesses in St Albans?
Respondents are particularly concerned about the lack of a cinema in St Albans.
What cinema?????? People can't attend a cinema that doesn't
exist!!
Local resident, male
The most obvious weakness is a lack of cinema
Local resident, female
Respondents were generally positive about the idea of the council negotiating for the creation of
a new cinema within the town, though there were some concerns that steps should be taken to
ensure a variety of programmes, rather than the usual Hollywood ‘blockbusters’.
It would be lovely to have a cinema again, but the town has had
so many promises, I am not holding my breath. To loose one
cinema was unfortunate, to loose Three might be regarded as
gross carelessness!
Local resident, female
Music and dance: Strengths and weaknesses in St Albans?
Respondents were broadly positive about the variety of music and dance available in St Albans,
though again there were some comments made about the lack of widespread publicity
available.
As far as music is concerned I think we are extraordinarily lucky in
St Albans for the quality and quantity that is available, both
professional and amateur.
Local resident, male
STARTS agrees with the earlier comments about the
extraordinary richness, high standard and variety of musical life in
St. Albans. This is a huge strength.
Local association, male
5
Arts Strategy 1999-2004 Review
Appendix 6
Arts Strategy 1999-2004 Review
Contents
Introduction 1
Arts Policy Objectives 2
Recommendations 8
Conclusion 19
Introduction
The strategy set out the aims and objectives for the development of the arts in St
Albans City and District from 1999-2004. It was set in the context of the Leisure
Strategy 1997.
In January 2005, the Cultural Strategy was adopted by Cabinet and the Local Strategic
Partnership. The Cultural Strategy vision for the district of St Albans should, alongside
the council’s Corporate Objectives, form the context for the new Arts Strategy.
The aim of the Arts Strategy 1999-2004 was ‘to encourage and enhance the
development of high quality and sustainable arts and cultural activities for residents and
visitors to the City and District of St Albans’. In order to achieve this, the strategy set out
10 objectives and 20 recommendations. A brief overview of the achievements made
under each of these objectives and recommendations is given in this report and a
summary of those objectives and recommendations which should be taken forward into
the new strategy is given at the end.
Arts Policy Objectives
Objective Achievements Opportunities
i. To encourage and • Partnerships between Leisure Connection and arts • Green Heart Partnership aims to generate
develop opportunities organisations e.g. Hertsdance have been developed. partnerships across Herts that will achieve
for partnerships with • Maltings Arts Theatre, Alban Arena and Harpenden growth and capacity for the arts through
voluntary and Public Halls provide facilities for both professional partnership with the environment sector
commercial sector to and community activities. • Trestle have recently been awarded £30,000
provide accessible • Trestle Arts Base is increasingly being made use of from the Arts Council to develop their
opportunities in arts for as a community resource for performances, classes community work over the next 3 years.
all sectors of the and meetings
community. • Through the St Albans Festival partnerships have
developed between the leisure contractor, council
and community groups
• Trestle Arts Base, Maltings Arts Theatre and other
arts organisations have worked together and with
local schools to develop interesting arts projects.
ii. To produce a Public • No strategy produced as yet. The Arts Development • Work closely with planning department to
Art Strategy for the Officer was involved in the second review of the ensure that appropriate policies are developed
district to include Local District plan which highlighted the need for within the new Local District Plan.
Percent for Art. public art and percent for art policies to be • Follow the good practice of other authorities in
developed. The review was halted at a late stage these areas.
due to new government guidance. The next review • Continue to identify developments where
will follow on from the last report. percent for art is appropriate and support
• An element of Public Art has been included in developers in the percent for art process.
section 106 agreements with major developments • Public art needs to be considered in
e.g. Napsbury Park, Highfield Park Trust developments of any kind e.g. street furniture,
entrance lobbies, signage etc
• Green Heart aims to advocate the adoption of
a countywide public arts plan that can lever
funding from new developments happening in
Herts contributing to ‘percent for the arts’
schemes and section 106 agreements.
iii. To foster a healthy • New leisure management contract specification • The activities/programme should be
mix of professional and includes proportional targets for high art and developed in consultation with the relevant
voluntary activity to community activities at the three council arts venues. groups, to ensure that it is relevant to them.
encourage • Arts Strategy funding has been invested in targeted • There are difficulties in monitoring the
developments in the arts projects involving groups of the community who are effectiveness of targeted projects.
and their accessibility to less likely to attend arts events. • The Young Person’s Leisure Needs Survey
people of all ages, • St Albans Symphony Orchestra project funded with highlighted some key issues preventing young
cultural backgrounds support from Eastern Orchestral Board and St people from accessing arts activities: lack of
and abilities. Albans District Council enabled local orchestra to awareness, and information They
learn skills and techniques from professional recommended developing a website
orchestra. specifically for young people, producing a
• Voluntary arts activity has been supported by Arts regular leisure newsletter and combining new
Development Officer through small arts grants activities which those currently in demand e.g.
scheme, and advice and support with applying for dance.
funding from other sources • Audience surveys carried out as part of the
• Arts Development Officer offered support with the Leisure Services Best value review in March
FUZE Regional Arts Lottery Programme application. 2002, indicated that audiences at the council’s
This funding enabled the Maltings to develop the art venues were not reflecting the make-up of
diversity of their audience and to stage events for the community in terms of age and ethnicity.
ethnic minority groups, and activities which enabled At the Maltings Arts Theatre less than 2% of
the community to develop a greater understanding of the audience were in the 20-24 years and 2%
other cultural backgrounds. Especially World Music in the over 65 age range. Less than 3% of
Day and Larks in the Parks. Also enabled staff at the audience were from minority ethnic groups. At
Maltings to develop their skills the Alban Arena only 15% of the audience
• Trestle are developing their community activities, and was between 20-34 years old and 7% over 65.
have recently been awarded Grants for the Arts Minority ethnic groups represented less than
funding for a 2 year project working with minority 2% of the audience each.
groups including people with disabilities, minority
ethnic communities, people on low income and
young people.
• St Albans Festival provides free events available to
people of all incomes
• The Alban Arena and Maltings Arts Theatre offer free
access to carers of disabled people.
Arts Strategy 1999-2004 Review Appendix 6
iv. To create • Many opportunities for young people have been • Need to consult with minority groups more
opportunities for young developed through the Arts Strategy fund, including regularly to find out what they want to be
people and minority one-off projects e.g. graffiti projects, and long term involved in and how.
groups, through positive opportunities e.g. Herts Youth Dance Companies, • Need to initiate innovative ways of
partnerships between Trestle Young Persons’ Theatre. Financial support encouraging young people to attend arts
schools, colleges, the has been provided for Trestle YPT for the past two events in the district as well as participate in
youth service and other years. arts activities.
providers. • St Albans District Council Schools competition held • Need to develop projects which are
in conjunction with Snapshot 450 Community Photo sustainable long term.
Project • Need to expand inclusion work to the Irish,
• Trestle outreach work with local schools e.g. green Italian and Chinese communities.
heart project with Francis Bacon School and UH • Publicity should be more accessible to
Galleries, facilitated by Green Heart Partnership minority groups.
funds- beginning of plans to develop partnerships. • Should support the development of Trestle YP
• Dance in Herts provides opportunities for young Theatre activities to include broader
people in the district in partnership with Leisure programme to meet the demands of local
Connection, schools and the youth service. These young people e.g. DJ-ing workshops.
include street dance classes, workshops in schools • Should support the development of
and the two county youth dance companies. partnerships between schools such as Sir
• The FUZE project enabled the Maltings Arts Theatre John Lawes and Sandringham, the University,
to provide more opportunities for ethnic minority College and community organisations
groups, particularly the Asian community. However, • Annual Schools Arts Competition is included
the number of people reached was limited, and there in the new leisure management specification
is scope to work with other ethnic minority groups. • Should work together with Margaret Harvey
• The Passport to Leisure Officer runs some arts Gallery and Museums service to enable
activities for adults with physical and learning education workshops to take place in St
disabilities. Albans.
• St Albans District Council supported education • There is a lack of integrated activities for
workshops at the Margaret Harvey Gallery in disabled and non-disabled people.
partnership with local schools, encouraging young • Examine relationship with Herts County
people to visit exhibitions at the gallery. Also Council Children Schools and Families
supported UH Galleries application for Arts Council
funding for an Education Co-ordinator.
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Arts Strategy 1999-2004 Review Appendix 6
v. To support the • Arts Development Officer supported the development • Review the facilities in the district, identify
development and/or of Trestle Arts Base and local schools’ applications gaps in provision and the need for
refurbishment of for Specialist Arts Status. These have resulted in refurbishment.
facilities to increase new facilities for the arts available to young people • STARTS- support the principals of the
participation and and the wider community. campaign for new arts facilities in the district.
production of the arts, • Support for the development of a cinema in the city • Alban Arena and Harpenden Public Hall
particularly for young centre, to include space for visual arts exhibitions. facilities in particular are ageing and
people. • St Albans District Council investment in new box furnishings are in major need of
office system at the Alban Arena refurbishment. Audience surveys have
• Considerable investment working towards ensuring highlighted that comfort and temperature are
venues are fully DDA compliant particular issues at both Maltings Arts Theatre
• Study into feasibility of developing cinema provision and Alban Arena.
at Alban Arena commissioned in 2003 • Another issue which has been raised is the
lack of good acoustics at the Alban Arena,
which discourages professional musicians
from performing at the venue.
• The inclusion of some improvements to the
Alban Arena in the cinema development
scheme is under discussion.
• Condition Surveys for St Albans District
Council leisure facilities have been carried out.
• Update light, sound and film equipment at
venues.
• Establish online booking systems for all arts
activities in the community
vi. To develop links • Art at Work was supported by St Albans District • There is much scope for developing links
between business and Council but has since folded through general lack of between business and the arts in the future.
the arts, through support. Every opportunity to encourage business
sponsorship • St Albans District Council continues to support open investment in the arts should be taken up.
opportunities and events studios every year through the Arts strategy budget- • Subscribe to Arts and Business support
such as the small award, which alongside the investment from services to develop new partnerships
Hertfordshire Open other local authorities enables this important event to • Green Heart Partnership will enable more
5
Arts Strategy 1999-2004 Review Appendix 6
Studios and the Art at take place. Every year more artists get involved in partnership working between business and the
Work Award. this event. arts
• Some sponsorship from local businesses was
received for the Snapshot 450 project.
Vii To support and • Herts Arts Forum absorbed into Herts Arts • Should continue to support the Herts Arts
develop the partnership Partnership (HAP) Executive (formed of members, Partnership. St Albans District Council
work emerging from the officers and Arts Council, England officers). member should attend HAP Executive
Hertfordshire Arts • St Albans District Council has supported the Herts meetings.
Forum as a result of the Arts Partnership, but Arts Development Officer’s • Arts Development Officer and other identified
Hertfordshire Leisure workload has meant limited time to spend on officers should be given support and time to
Strategy, including the partnership work. work on projects arising from Green Heart,
development of • Arts Development Officer was involved in the both in the district and countywide. This is an
Communications development of the Herts Cultural Strategy important development for the Arts in the
Strategy and a Rural • A communications strategy or rural arts strategy has county and St Albans District Council should
Arts Strategy not been developed play a major role in defining the shape of
emerging projects
• St Albans Homeworkers' Alliance (SACHA)
was formed as a body representing artists and
creative workers in St Albans- should work
more closely with them as a forum for the arts
in the district
Viii To seek active • Herts Arts Umbrella was absorbed into HAP • HAP is keen to develop links with arts
representation from arts Executive. There are currently no arts organisations organisations across the county and
organisations within the on the executive group and the Herts Arts Forum has encourage better networking and partnership
district on the also been disbanded. working. A representative from a local Arts
Hertfordshire Arts Forum could attend HAP Executive.
Umbrella group, in order • Green Heart should enable and encourage
to develop links with the future links, networking and partnership
Hertfordshire Arts opportunities.
Forum
Ix To facilitate the • Arts Development Officer assisted in the • Develop an Arts Forum in the district in
formation of local establishment of SACHA and continues to support collaboration with SACHA/STARTS. A
networks involving through attending meetings, providing information for representative from this group could then
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Arts Strategy 1999-2004 Review Appendix 6
representatives of visual newsletter etc. attend the HAP (Herts Arts Partnership)
arts and performing arts • Arts Development Officer established a theatre group Executive meetings.
organisations, to which brings together representatives from the main • Aim to get more diverse membership of
progress arts performance venues in the district for networking and SACHA including members of disability, ethnic
development within the sharing of information and discussing common minority and youth arts community.
district issues. • Facilitate the sharing of information about arts
in the district through the St Albans District
Council website (possibility of an online forum,
opportunities posting etc)
• Possibility of developing a newsletter
x. To work towards the • Museum Service are planning to refurbish the • Feasibility study into potential sites for such a
establishment of a high Museum of St Albans, which will create a larger venue was included in the targets for 2002/03
profile art temporary exhibition space, which could display but this was not carried out due to time
gallery/exhibition space visual arts exhibitions, amongst other things. constraints.
in partnership with the • The University have expressed their willingness to • Should support the Museums Service’s plans
University, the Museum work in partnership to establish such a venue, for an extension, including a temporary
Service and others. bringing their curatorial and marketing skills to the exhibition space at Museum of St Albans, and
partnership. encourage working in partnership with the
• The current cinema plans include small gallery University to develop an exhibition
space. Need to be involved in the development of programme. Should also support plans to
this scheme, to ensure that the gallery space is used provide a showcase for local artists and crafts
in an appropriate way. people at the Town Hall.
• Should work with the University in trying to maintain
the presence of the Margaret Harvey Gallery in its
present location in St Albans (currently secure, but
future uncertain) and the continuation of the Open
Exhibition and resulting solo show for the winner
7
Arts Strategy 1999-2004 Review Appendix 6
Recommendations
1. It is recommended that the council enter into a Partnership Agreement with Eastern Arts Board based on shared objectives and to be reviewed in 2002.
The aims and guiding principles of quality, effectiveness and equal opportunities laid out in the Board’s plan for capital investment in the arts in the Eastern
region should also be adopted.
Achievements Areas for development
• Arts Council England, East introduced a new model for working with local • For Green Heart to be successful, Arts development needs to
authorities in 2003. The Green Heart Partnership, a new three year agreement was work with colleagues in environmental services and planning
signed in 2003, bringing £1 million investment in the arts over 2004-2007 in Herts, to develop appropriate projects.
focusing on Arts and the Environment. St Albans District Council’s annual • Important for the council to engage with the Herts Arts
investment in the partnership amounts to £5000 per year. Partnership and to be pro-active in encouraging groups from
• St Albans District Council has taken on board Arts Council, England’s ‘Ambitions for the district to participate and develop plans.
the Arts 2003-2006’ to:
1. prioritise individual artists
2. work with funded arts organisations to help them thrive rather than just survive
3. place cultural diversity at the heart of our work
4. prioritise young people and Creative Partnerships
5. maximise growth in the arts
2. It is recommended that the Maltings Arts Theatre and the Alban Arena take advantage of the benefits to be gained from membership of the
Eastern Touring Agency (ETA) in order to widen their audiences and programme.
Achievements Areas for development
• ETA changed its name to Momentum Arts in July 2003, to reflect the new direction
of their work towards audience development, research and professional
development. No longer does touring work and focuses mainly on Inclusion and
Regeneration. No longer operates on a membership basis but provides excellent
training and information sharing opportunities.
• Arena did not have appropriate time and staffing to take advantage of ETA
membership.
• The benefits of ETA membership for the Maltings Arts Theatre included the
‘Including the Excluded’ project, Virtual Stages and an upgraded box office system.
3. The council should continue to subscribe annually to the Eastern Orchestral Board (EOB) and participate fully in their programme of work.
Achievements Areas for development
8
Arts Strategy 1999-2004 Review Appendix 6
• St Albans District Council continues to pay annual subscription which enables St • Developing more audience development work and educational
Albans District Council to support high quality music events and activities. St Albans projects- Plans for St Albans District Council to develop a
also receives support from Arts Council England, East through EOB membership. strategy for developing orchestral work amongst communities
• St Albans International Organ Festival continues to benefit from the enhanced who would/could not normally attend orchestral performances
funding offered by EOB. Concerts by St Albans Bach Choir are also supported by to include young people, older people, people with disabilities,
EOB and St Albans District Council. ethnic minorities. EOB and St Albans District Council
• EOB supported recorder workshops for primary school children at the Alban Arena investment in this project will lever further funding and develop
organised in connection with English Sinfonia in 2000/01. partnerships in the district.
• EOB and St Albans District Council supported a successful series of workshops • SASO have recently submitted a Grants for the Arts
which the amateur St Albans Symphony Orchestra (SASO) completed with City of
application to ACE, East to continue the programme of
London Sinfonia (CLS), helping them to develop skills to perform a technically
workshops and training with CLS. Supported by St Albans
complex piece culminating in a performance. District Council and EOB who have both committed to
• English Sinfonia held a concert in Verulamium Park in 2003 investing in the project.
• Trestle/ Birmingham Contemporary Music Group production -In 2000/2001 • Possibility of building links between more amateur music
maximum EOB support received for Trestle’s “Bitter Fruit” performance at the Alban groups and professional musicians with EOB support.
Arena.
• Review of benefits of subscription to EOB.
4. The council should make funds available from existing ‘project funds’ to employ the services of Commissions East or other public art
consultant, to develop public art projects where appropriate and necessary and to investigate the feasibility of a bid to Art Lottery fund for a
strategically led project.
Achievements Areas for development
• Advice from Commissions East sought, but have not fully employed public art • Green Heart provides an opportunity for developing public art
consultancy services as yet. with environmental theme. Green Heart aims to advocate the
• Arts Development Officer has been closely involved in public art projects in new adoption of a countywide public arts plan that can lever
developments such as Christopher Place and Trestle’s Arts Base. Also supporting
funding from new developments happening in Herts
the inclusion of public art in the proposed Cinema development .
contributing to ‘percent for the arts’ schemes and section 106
• St Albans District Council has funded several individual public art projects: Alban agreements.
Way, Harpenden Swimming Pool, Murals at Sopwell and London Colney, Clarence
Park Bench, Graffiti projects.
• Some public art projects have been created through Section 106 funding e.g.
Highfield Park, Christopher Place.
5. The council should allocate a sum of £1000 on an annual basis from 1 April 1999 for up to 5 arts events in the three major urban parks, which
should include at least 2 concerts by the St Albans City Band.
Achievements Areas for development
9
Arts Strategy 1999-2004 Review Appendix 6
• Bands in the Park has been running for the past 3 years, providing music in the • Bands in the Park will be integrated into the Leisure
district’s main parks on several Sunday afternoons during the summer months. The
Management contract specification for special events in the
range of bands has grown over the past few years. In 2004 the programme future
encompassed performances by 9 bands, including the St Albans City Band. The
• Appointed contractor will be encouraged to stage Larks in the
budget for the Bands In the Park project this year was £2,400. Parks events in the future as part of their arts development
• Larks in the Parks was a new event held in 2004 during the St Albans Festival. programme.
Organised by the Festival team and funded as part of a successful Regional Arts
• Good parks for events- should make more of them.
Lottery Programme application for FUZE, it took place at several open spaces
across the district simultaneously. Community groups took responsibility for
organising events in their area. Professional artists and workshop leaders toured
the district to perform at each venue.
6. That with immediate effect, St Albans Leisure Ltd undertake audience surveys and market research at least every two years at the Alban
Arena, the Maltings Arts Theatre and Harpenden Public Halls, to ascertain levels of satisfaction with existing facilities and programmes, in order
to discover where developments and improvements might be implemented
Achievements Areas for development
• Audience surveys and market research have not been carried out frequently • Existing user forums achieve little. Manager of Maltings Arts
enough and do not provide sufficient levels of information upon which we can act to Theatre has recently started a recruitment drive for new user
improve access to all sectors of the community. forum members. It is hoped that with new input and better
• Arts Development Officer ran audience surveys for Maltings and Alban Arena in attendance these meetings will be more useful.
2002. Alban Arena: Over 61% said comfort was average, poor or very poor. Over
• Improve communication/monitoring with Leisure Connection to
40% said temperature was average, poor or very poor. Bar service also considered ensure market research is carried out. The new contract
poor. requires the contractor to provide regular audience figures and
• Maltings Arts Theatre- 55% thought comfort was average, poor or very poor performance indicators against targets.
although theatre has replaced its seating since 1997 following lottery funding.
• Researching and piloting new methods of customer research
Temperature also a problem- can be extremely hot for some performances with a at venues e.g. mystery shoppers, complimentary tickets
full house. • Members Survey – the Alban Arena bar lacks atmosphere and
seating is uncomfortable.
• Formalised process for monitoring, consultation and market
research
7. The council should continue to fund the post and the work of the Arts development Officer in the long term in order to take forward the arts
policy objectives and to review and update this Arts Strategy.
Achievements Areas for development
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Arts Strategy 1999-2004 Review Appendix 6
• Leisure Development Officer post continues to be funded. In recent years, the Arts The new Leisure Management Contract Specification includes
Development Officer was periodically supported by casual assistants. These posts additional posts designated to Arts Development work.
have since been cut.
8. The Council should support both existing and new provision for the arts, by including clauses regarding such developments in the District
Local Plan, in order that businesses such as art suppliers, arts venues and potential studio operators may be assisted in finding suitable
premises in the district.
Achievements Areas for development
• There is a severe lack of affordable studio space for rental by artists in the district • STARTS plans for a purpose built arts centre in the City
and the county as a whole, which leads to local artists leaving the area. The Arts Centre
Development Officer receives regular enquiries from artists for studios. • Potential loss of the Margaret Harvey Gallery to property
• St Albans District Council’s Draft Economic Development Strategy objectives are to: developer in the future
¾ Work with partners to encourage the competitiveness of local enterprises • Possibility of establishing a showcase for local artists and
and provide the business support framework for a sustainable and working with SACHA network- towards a retail outlet.
prosperous local economy • St Albans District Council has been approached regarding
¾ To protect the environment and improve the physical infrastructure to possible section 106 funding for the development of a new art
support sustainable economic growth space with workshops and sales area in Wheathampstead.
¾ Raise the profile of St. Albans District as a first class location for This development should be supported as far as possible.
business and as an attractive place to live, work and visit • Making use of other spaces e.g. Alban Arena.
¾ To take action and invest resources to achieve social and economic
inclusion
¾ Attract and commit external funding to support the development of the
local economy and labour market.
9. It is recommended that St Albans District Council inform the University of Hertfordshire of their wish to secure the long term future of the
Margaret Harvey Gallery as a focal point for the visual arts. This should involve increased publicity and the expansion of the exhibition
programme to include education and outreach and the occasional use of this facility by the council.
Achievements Areas for development
11
Arts Strategy 1999-2004 Review Appendix 6
• University is keen to work with St Albans District Council to develop gallery space • The UH Galleries may potential lose the MHG’s current
and a contemporary exhibition programme in the district. building in the future.
• Arts Development Officer supports UH galleries through partnership work on MHG • Should develop the links between the museum and MHG-
Open Exhibition, and place on steering group. especially in relation to events like the Big Draw and
• Arts Development Officer has worked in partnership with UH Galleries to deliver Children’s Art day. The Museum of St Albans may be a
schools workshops and a Community mural project in 2002 at MHG. Workshops at potential location for MHG education activities, given the lack
MHG have also been supported through Small Arts Grants. of space at the gallery itself.
• UH galleries have recently been awarded funding to deliver an education
programme for 3 years. This will include activities at MHG. Will fund part-time
Education Facilitator and gallery technician and 12 hours of activities through
workshops and lectures. The education programme will enable more partnership
working with schools and access to all parts of the community through life-long
learning. It will also include some gallery specific PR and marketing to enable the
gallery to raise its profile. The Arts Development Officer has offered support with
this application.
10. Working in partnership with HCC Youth Service, officers should investigate the feasibility of using Alma Road Youth Centre and other
available buildings as an Arts and Media Centre for the District, with a focus on provision for young people. Once new criteria for larger schemes
are announced, funds should be identified to progress a bid to the National Lottery.
Achievements Areas for development
• A feasibility study was carried out and planning permission granted to extend the • Herts County Council currently own the building at Alma
facilities at Alma Road for a community arts centre. Unfortunately the project did not Road, but it is possible that this will be sold at a future date
progress. • STARTS have begun a campaign for a purpose-built arts
• Worked in partnership with HCC Youth Service, Oaklands College and others centre in the city centre. St Albans District Council Should
• Pioneer Youth Club- advice regarding their arts programme- specialist staff investigate the feasibility of developing an Arts Centre at any
• Media facilities at Sir John Lawes School available to hire by the community- TV location(s) in the district.
recording studio, editing suite, cinema, film equipment (cameras, projectors etc) • The district plan second review suggested that the location of
leisure facilities should be kept non-site specific and should be
secured on appropriate town centre sites, or on sites that are
highly accessible by public transport and where the
environmental impact is minimal.
• Need to work in partnership with schools to raise awareness
amongst the community of facilities available.
• Working in partnership with the youth service to deliver arts
projects for young people in the district.
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Arts Strategy 1999-2004 Review Appendix 6
11. The council should pursue the development of community use arts facilities in secondary schools and Oaklands College, in line with the
Leisure Policy Objectives, the District and Local Plan, and subject to the strategic requirements of the Eastern Arts Board.
Achievements Areas for development
• A young People’s video, photography and media project took place in 2000, in • The possibility of using schools for exhibitions and
partnership with Oaklands College and Pioneer Youth Club, providing content for performances should be further explored. There is a need to
the Herts Heritage website. promote the facilities available in schools to the wider
• Sandringham School- Sandpit theatre opened in December 2001- accessible and community.
affordable local performance space for community - auditorium with 268 raked • In December 2003, the University of Hertfordshire unveiled its
seats, entrance foyer, fully equipped box office, cafe/kitchen, large stage with black new home for UHArts, The Weston Auditorium — a 460-seat
masking, spacious backstage area and dressing rooms, control room with modern state of the art venue, situated on the £120 million de
sound and lighting systems, minstrels' gallery, disabled facilities. Also brings theatre Havilland Campus in Hatfield. This has already proved a
to students at an affordable price. Dance in Herts use the space for workshops. valuable resource for community use, including a recent
Also home to Best Theatre Arts- children’s theatre school. showcase of Dance in Herts work and the Green Heart
• Sir John Lawes School- Media facilities available to hire by local community- Launch
includes cinema, TV/Multimedia Studio, Music technology suite, video, audio and
graphics post-production. Also work with local primary schools and other secondary
schools to develop and deliver their media courses. Links with Oaklands college to
provide evening course in video production.
12. It is recommended that in line with the 1996 District leisure strategy recommendation, an Officer Working Party should be set up to formulate
and take forward an integrated corporate Public Art Policy, together with a structure and budget for its implementation. In order to progress this
policy and to involve both the public and private sectors, a Percentage for Art clause should be included in the District Local Plan.
Achievements Areas for development
• The Second Local Plan Review was never approved due to changes in Government • % for art may not be the way forward, rather an integrated
Guidance. A cross-departmental working party was never set up to implement a approach from planning and others.
public art strategy. However, the Arts Development Officer worked closely with the • Section 106 agreements should incorporate elements of arts
planning department to ensure that percent for art and public art will be provision, either through the inclusion of public art, investment
incorporated in subsequent reviews and plans. in local arts facilities, or the development of community arts
• Planning applications are circulated within Leisure Section and opportunities for activities.
inclusion of public art are identified. Not every development is suitable for such • County Public art strategy to be developed through GHP
projects and this work can be time consuming. Some public art projects have come •
about through section 106 agreements.
• There have been several new public art commissions in the district: Phoenix Rising
(Trestle Arts Base), Clarendon Bench (Clarendon Park), Blackberry Arch (Alban
Way), Sculptural Garden (Highfield Park).
13
Arts Strategy 1999-2004 Review Appendix 6
13. In considering any application to the National Lottery (Heritage) in connection with the Town Hall, the Council should include proposals for
the provision of suitable cases and sales procedures for the display and sale of crafts and applied arts. In the meantime suitable locations
should be sought for such displays in the Council’s buildings.
Achievements Areas for development
• No application to Heritage Lottery was ever made. Any fixed or substantial • Provision of a small exhibition space is included in cinema
installations would require prior listed building consent. development proposals.
• Town Hall will come under the Museums Service Management as of April 2005- • Consider other possibilities- Alban Arena, Maltings Arts
discussions with Museums Service staff have indicated that there is a wish to Theatre, Library, Harpenden Public Halls, Sports Centres,
develop a small introductory/orientation display on the heritage of St Albans. Jubilee Centre, council foyer/chamber?
• Suggest these plans should include the display of crafts and applied arts, and • Trestle is planning to use its foyer for visual arts exhibitions
possibly temporary exhibitions of work by local visual artists. which may also be suitable for crafts and applied arts.
• A potential project at early planning stages to convert a barn
in Wheathampstead into arts workshop facilities and a sales
area may be eligible for Section 106 funding.
14. Research should be undertaken into the demand for art house and community cinema, and St Albans Leisure Ltd should be requested to
investigate the viability of improving facilities at the Alban Arena for the purposes of showing art house films in a more comfortable and
attractive environment.
Achievements Areas for development
• Alban Arena Cinema feasibility study 2003 identified that there are approximately • Alongside this feasibility study, plans have been drawn up for
17,000 admissions for the Alban Arena’s specialised programme of films every the development of an eight-screen cinema incorporating
year. The findings of focus group research presents a compelling case for a leisure facilities, housing and car parking on the site of the
cinema, and in particular a specialised cinema, in St Albans. It recommended that current civic centre car park, adjacent to the Alban Arena. A
the development of new cinema facilities at the Alban Arena be viewed as part of a new development of this kind will provide opportunities for the
wider programme of improvements to bring the venue up to date with standards of Arts in the district, but may also present competition to the
auditorium comfort, technical capacity and maximise programming opportunities. Alban Arena’s currently successful programme of film.
This research should be taken into account when developing the plans for the new
• The inclusion of the recommended improvements to the Alban
cinema in the city centre. Arena in the cinema development scheme is under
discussion.
14A. The council should continue to support the provision of community cinema in St Albans which will deliver a wide range of programmes, one
emphasis being on British Films.
Achievements Areas for development
14
Arts Strategy 1999-2004 Review Appendix 6
• Public consultation between closure of cinema and 2000 indicated a preference for • Arts Development Officer and Leisure should be involved in
a community cinema ‘that reflects residents’ interests and shows a variety and more the cinema working party.
comprehensive programme of films than surrounding multiplexes. These obviously • There is a small cinema screen at Sir John Lawes school
include blockbusters but also quality Art house, British, European and world which seats 100 people and could be used for community
cinema.’ cinema.
• Alban Arena has a successful programme of art house film including British film
(see recommendation 14).
15. The Council should encourage the Youth Service, the University and Oaklands College to work together in partnership, where appropriate, in
order to gain funding and achieve accessible facilities and opportunities for training and participation in film, video and multimedia activities in
the district.
Achievements Areas for development
• A young People’s video, photography and media project took place in 2000, in • Should encourage Sir John Lawes to work in partnership with
partnership with Oaklands College and Pioneer Youth Club, providing content for the Youth Service to enable more young people to build their
the Herts Heritage website. media skills.
• Sir John Lawes has since achieved Specialist Media Status and has acquired • Little publicity is done to raise awareness of the availability of
excellent media facilities which are available for hire by the local community. these facilities. The school and the district council should
• Sir John Lawes and Oaklands have worked together to provide evening courses in raise awareness and develop new partnerships to ensure that
media studies. the facilities are put to best use.
• The University of Herts have plans to develop new film and
media facilities and courses.
16. It is recommended that the importance of education and outreach work should be stressed to St Albans Leisure Ltd and that the Maltings
Arts Theatre look at the viability of more outreach work as a community initiative and marketing tool- taking the work out to young people in
order to make them aware of what is available at the Theatre.
Achievements Areas for development
• Maltings Arts Theatre runs weekly drama and arts workshops for children. • New contract specification includes arts development,
• As part of the FUZE audience development project, Maltings Arts Theatre specifically community involvement projects, programme of
established new events and workshops and developed closer relationships with works aimed at young people.
schools. The project included workshops at Camp School with a Women’s Literacy • Possibility of arts development team developing outreach
Group creating a textile wall hanging. work in partnership with and making use of facilities provided
• Seed funding provided by St Albans District Council for outreach projects at the by Sir John Lawes school, Sandringham School, Trestle etc
Maltings and Alban Arena as part of audience development e.g. Recorder
workshops with English Sinfonia, Folk Music workshops with Andy Cutting and Mike
Adcock
15
Arts Strategy 1999-2004 Review Appendix 6
17. It is recommended that Trestle Theatre Company, having financed the successful first stages of their National Lottery Bid themselves, should
be financially supported in the final phase of their application, in order to help them bring high quality production, employment opportunities and
community facilities to the district.
Achievements Areas for development
• St Albans District Council investment in Trestle Arts Base capital development • Trestle has begun to think more broadly about their
(£30,000 with service level agreement between 1999 and 2001) community work and the use of TAB by the local community.
• St Albans District Council have supported Trestle Young People’s theatre over the They recently received funding from Arts Council England,
past three years through £2750 Arts Strategy funding signed with a partnership East to run a pilot community project over the coming year.
agreement • Trestle is planning to develop the exhibition opportunities in
• St Albans District Council has also allocated Section 106 funding for Trestle to the foyer space and open them up to artists from the district
equip their café and to appoint and train unemployed young people to run the café. and the county. They are building on their links with University
in order to identify students and new graduate artists to exhibit
in the space. St Albans District Council should support Trestle
by promoting this resource for local artists, and encouraging
them to submit their proposals. Issue is that the café is still not
up and running and the influx of visitors to the exhibitions is
likely to be limited until this has been established.
18. Starting in 1999/2000, it is recommended that the Council continues to contribute to the Dance Development partnership on the basis of
£1000 per year for 3 years and that the project should be extended to become more culturally diverse.
Achievements Areas for development
• St Albans DC has paid an annual subscription of approx £500 to HertsDance to • The 3 year funding came to an end in 2004, and due to
ensure the development and provision of dance activities in the district. financial problems, HertsDance ceased trading in October
• Dance activity in the county and district has grown in quality and extent in the past 2004. The current programme of activities has been taken on
three years. HertsDance has enriched the arts scene through the presence of by Essex Dance who is running the project as ‘Dance in
visiting professional artists, both in performance and education. Hertfordshire’ and has employed the 2 remaining employees
• Dance in Herts run two popular street dance classes in the district for children 8-12 of HertsDance. The project is supported by Grants for the Arts
and 12+ at the Town Hall in partnership with Community Leisure, who subsidise the funding for the first 3 months, after which time, it is hoped that
activities. They also run free school workshops EssexDance
16
Arts Strategy 1999-2004 Review Appendix 6
• as taster sessions. • will be in a position to apply for further funding to support
• Youth Service and Children, Schools and Families unit at Herts CC fund one dance dance development in Herts.
project per year in each quadrant of the county, usually during half term. • New contract spec- dance development programme in
• 35%-40% of the members of the two county youth dance companies are from St partnership with the dance agency.
Albans. They work with renowned contemporary dance artists and perform across
• Develop a dance strategy for the district working with Dance in
the East region. Hertfordshire and leisure contractor
• The different dance groups are offered several opportunities to perform in the • Need to further develop the diversity of dance and to develop
county every year. accessible and inclusive activities for people with disabilities.
• Dance is very popular. The Young People’s Leisure Needs Survey showed that Also need to encourage more boys to take part.
18% of girls attended dance classes. However there is a lack of boys who engage
in dance activities.
• Considerable work has been done to develop the diversity of the dance activities.
For example Kathakali indian dance company carried out an educational residency
in 5 primary and secondary schools in St Albans, reaching a total of 300 pupils.
• Hertsdance have been bringing 3-5 professional companies to the district per year
to run workshops in schools across the county linked to performances (usually at
the Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead).
• HertsDance have run a summer recess and a programme of one-day
masterclasses and workshops for professional dancers at the Town Hall in St
Albans, bringing professional dancers into the district from across the region.
19. Working in partnership with the EOB and other agencies, the council should continue to fund and actively market accessible and innovative
classical music events that involve all sectors of the community, regardless of age, ability or cultural background.
Achievements Areas for development
• On the edge- multicultural £50K lottery funded project with EOB, Royal • Plans for community programme of orchestral activity with
Philharmonic Orchestra, Youth Service and 3 other districts. Ran recorder professional orchestra and EOB
workshops in 6 primary schools in the district. Forerunner joint project for HCC
• New contract spec- delivery of community involvement
RALP application
projects
20. In order to raise the profile of St Albans, in line with the Tourism Strategy, the proposed increase to £2500 in the annual grant to the biennial
Organ Festival should be supported, subject to the condition that the Festival is renamed and promoted as the St Albans International Organ
Festival
Achievements Areas for development
17
Arts Strategy 1999-2004 Review Appendix 6
• Organ festival has received £2500 annual funding and further project funding (small This annual funding should be reviewed, looking at the possibility
arts grants) for education projects which encourage the involvement of young of including an annual amount for education projects, and offering
people in the festival. this under a service level agreement.
• The name has been changed to International Organ Festival at St Albans.
• The 2003 Festival made over £85,000 from 6800 ticket sales (an increase of 15%
sales over the previous festival) and attracted an audience from across the UK and
from abroad (2%).
21. Starting in 1999/2000, it is recommended that the Council set up an Arts Project Fund of £5000 per annum for 3 years, to contribute to joint
strategies developed by the partnerships, such as the Youth Arts Strategy and the Arts and Disability project, particularly where it unlocks
grants from Eastern Arts Board and other external agencies, the impact of which should be evaluated and reviewed in 2002.
Achievements Areas for development
• This fund has continued to be made available beyond the stipulated 3 years. It has The purpose of this fund should be reviewed, taking into
been used to deliver projects which work towards the objectives of the arts strategy, consideration the role and budget of the new Development Team
not necessarily to contribute to joint strategies. within the Leisure Management Contract.
• The fund enables work started to proceed and unlocks funds from a variety of
sources e.g. Trestle Youth Theatre (RALP), Lanternfish Theatre (RALP- for Friends
in the Forest), Maltings Arts Theatre (ETA), Maltings Arts Theatre (RALP- St Albans
District Council contributed £1,070 over 3 years), St Albans International Organ
Festival (now separate budget line- annual grant)
• £40,000 of Arts Council Grants for the Arts funding was invested in St Albans
district between April 2003 and December 2004.
18
Conclusion
The Arts Strategy 1999-2004 was designed to act as a guide to capital and strategic
developments in the arts during the 5 year period, recognising the Council’s role in
supporting and encouraging the arts as an important element of life in the community.
Subsequently, several national reports have been published which provide evidence for
the contribution the Arts makes to the local economy, health and wellbeing. The new
strategy should make a clear case for the arts in the district, based on this evidence.
The Arts Strategy 1999-2004 does not provide a definition for the arts. The new strategy
should take a broad definition of ‘arts’ to include activities and events across all artforms
and at any level.
Some of the above objectives and recommendations of the Arts Strategy 1999-2004 are
still relevant, and there is still considerable room for development under some of the
headings. The new Arts Strategy for the district 2005-2010 should therefore include
among its aims and objectives:
1. Improving the range and quality of activity across all artforms
2. Increasing investment in the arts in the district
3. Accessibility of the arts and opportunities for the whole community regardless of
gender, age, cultural background or ability.
4. Promoting life-long learning
5. Developing partnerships to raise the profile of the arts and to maximise the impact of
arts activity
6. Formation of local art networks, to progress arts development within the district
7. Improving facilities for the arts
8. Encouraging art in public places
It is important that the new arts strategy is focused in its objectives and provides a clear
action plan and measurable targets by which we can assess our achievements.
The next stage in the process of developing a new arts strategy is to establish an
internal working group and consult with stakeholders, arts organisations and the wider
community to identify the themes and priorities of the strategy. This will form the basis
of a key issues and opportunities paper which will be central in identifying aims and
objectives for the next 5 years.
Activities Mapping
Artform Venue/ organisation Activity Location Target group Level
Community Leisure St Albans & District
Recreation for the Wheathampstead older people
Retired
Sir John Lawes media arts training Harpenden
School
Passport to Leisure/ social club for adults with physical disabilities St Albans & District disabled community
Daylight Club
Oaklands College FE and adult courses St Albans, Smallford adults
Hilldyke Community Wheathampstead
Centre
Highfield Park Trust Highfield Park
Oaklands College
Watling Chase Herts
Community Forest
HCC Youth Service Herts
Arts Education Wheathampstead
Agency
Butterwick Day day centre Highfield Park People with learning
Centre disabilities
Pioneer Youth Club Harpenden Young People
Page 1 of 16
Artform Venue/ organisation Activity Location Target group Level
Hertfordshire Herts
Community
Foundation
Dragon Art Studio
University of the
Third Age
Act Now School of
Drama/Dance
Page 2 of 16
Artform Venue/ organisation Activity Location Target group Level
Visual Arts Crafts
Alban Lacemakers workshops, demos, exhibs St Albans non-professional
By George Craft shop St Albans
Craft club for the craft activities Harpenden blind community non-professional
blind
Choyce Gallery gallery/shop St albans
Mead Craft Workshop Harpenden
Watford Recycling arts materials supplies Watford all
Arts Project
Herts Modern Art website Herts all
Herts Visual Arts open studios, networking, information Herts professional
Forum
U H Gallery exhibitions Hatfield professional
Insight Art classes, tuition St Albans Young People non-professional
Margaret Harvey exhibitions, education programme St Albans
Gallery
St Albans Arts demonstrations, workshops, exhibitions St Albans
Society
Art Group classes St Albans non-professional
Harpenden Art Club Harpenden non-professional
Harpenden talks, practical sessions, social, competitions Harpenden non-professional
Photographic Society
Page 3 of 16
Artform Venue/ organisation Activity Location Target group Level
Artscape materials shop, gallery Harpenden all
Crafty Capers Kids childrens activities St Albans children
Club
St Albans & District lectures, competitions, club evenings Jersey Farm non-professional
Photographic Society
Thomas Plunkett gallery, exhibitions St Albans commercial
Fine Art
Brewhouse Gallery gallery Wheathampstead
Bricket Wood Art Bricket Wood
Club
Youth Textiles Group St Albans Young People
Weavers, warpers demonstrations, workshops St Albans
and wefters
St Albans Marquetry courses St Albans
Group
NADFAS Harpenden
(Harpenden)
Herts Foto Forum Herts
Artworks website St Albans & District professional
Apt Creations Gallery shop, gallery City Centre all, people with
learning disabilities,
mental health
Embroiderers Guild, meetings and classes St Albans
Herts
Page 4 of 16
Artform Venue/ organisation Activity Location Target group Level
A&K Wilson Framers gallery Harpenden commercial
Decorative and Fine St Albans
Art Society
The Big Picture gallery, exhibitions City Centre commercial
Island of Art website/gallery all
CRA art materials shop City Centre commercial
Graphics Plus gallery, exhibitions City Centre commercial
Pots of Art workshop City Centre all non-professional
St Albans Art & St Albans
Graphics Association
Broad Colney Art demonstrations, exhibitions, workshops Colney Heath
group
St Albans Woodcraft social club, arts activities St Albans Children, Young people
Folk
Harpenden Evening lectures, visits Harpenden
Decorative & Fine
Arts Society
Page 5 of 16
Artform Venue/ organisation Activity Location Target group Level
Theatre
Stagecoach theatre classes St Albans children, YP non-professional
Arts
Company of Teens production Verulamium park Young people non-professional
Best Theatre Arts classes St Albans
School
Redbourn Players production, workshops, social Redbourn adults non-professional
Trestle Arts Base Small Scale Performance Highfield Park All, children, young professional
people
Sticks and Stones workshops St Albans children non-professional
Theatre Workshops
for Children
Trestle YP Theatre production, workshops, activities Highfield Park Young People non-professional
Breakaway Theatre production St Albans non-professional
STACCS Theatre production St Albans non-professional
Company
Arts Community St Albans all
Theatre
De Havilland performance Hatfield All professional
Auditorium
Trestle Theatre Masked theatre Highfield Park All, young people professional
Company
Bigfoot Theatre drama courses for children Highfield Park children non-professional
Company
Page 6 of 16
Artform Venue/ organisation Activity Location Target group Level
Booster Cushion production Park Street children professional
Theatre
Alban Arena Medium scale Performance, film screening City Centre All professional
Theatrix Performing Verulamium Park
Arts
Company of Ten production Verulamium Park Adults non-professional
Mopa Theatre production St Albans children professional
Company
Abbey Theatre performance Verulamium Park All, young people non-professional
OVO production St Albans all
Rising Stars Fleetville children
Children's Drama
Group
Malting Arts Theatre performance City Centre All, Children professional and non-
Wheathampstead production Wheathampstead non-professional
Dramatic Society
Kissing Spell Harpenden
7K Extreme Theatre production St Albans professional
Sandpit Theatre, production, performance, film screening St Albans All, young people
Sandringham School
Lanternfish Theatre Children’s productions City Centre Children professional
Company
Page 7 of 16
Artform Venue/ organisation Activity Location Target group Level
Music
Kinder Music classes St Albans children (pre school) non-professional
New School of St Albans
Organ Studies St
Albans Branch
Show R Us comedy? St Albans
Society of recorder St Albans
players
St Albans Accordian Fleetville
Group
Global Harmony unaccompanied world songs Fleetville non-professional
Community Choir
St Albans Cathedral St Albans
Society of Change
Ringers
Harpenden Barbers' Harpenden
Shop Harmony Club
Harpenden Bell Harpenden
Ringers
St George's School Harpenden
Musical Society
Herts Chorus performance Hatfield all, school children non-professional by a
reduced ticket price
St Peter's Choir St Albans
Page 8 of 16
Artform Venue/ organisation Activity Location Target group Level
St Albans Keyboard social club, performance St Albans non-professional
and Organ Society
St Mary's Church Harpenden
Bellringers
Harpenden Choral Harpenden non-professional
Society
Lea Singers Harpenden performance
Harpenden Light production Harpenden all non-professional
Operatic Society
Harpenden Winds social Harpenden adults non-professional no a
National Children's performance, tuition Harpenden children non-professional
Wind Orchestra
Sinfonia Verdi Harpenden professional
Harpenden Amateur Harpenden
Radio club
Harpenden Musicale community music school, courses, tuition, Harpenden all non-professional
summer music festival
St Albans Chamber performance St Albans
Orchestra
St Albans Folk Song St Albans all non-professional
Club
Abbey Gateway workshops, performances St Albans adults, young people, non-professional
orchestra children
Amadeus Chamber St Albans non-professional
Orchestra
Page 9 of 16
Artform Venue/ organisation Activity Location Target group Level
Fayrfax Consort St Albans
Hertfordshire performance St Albans non-professional
Chamber Orchestra
St Albans Music Club St Albans
St Albans & District St Albans
Music Festival
St Albans Chamber performance St Albans non-professional by a
Choir
St Albans Chamber informal concerts, coaching St Albans non-professional
Music Organisation
St Albans Rehearsal St Albans non-professional
Orchestra
St Albans Symphony performance St Albans All semi-professional
Orchestra
St Albans St Cecilia performance St Albans non-professional/ pro
Festival Society
Roots and Toots Club St Albans
St Albans Operatic performance St Albans non-professional
Society
Realm of Music educational performance St Albans adults Professional
St Albans performances, competitions, education St Albans all, children professional
International Organ projects
Festival
Verulam Amateur St Albans non-professional
Radio Club
Page 10 of 16
Artform Venue/ organisation Activity Location Target group Level
The Brocket Consort performance St Albans/ Harpenden non-professional
St Albans Folk Music leisure activity, competitions St Michaels All non-professional
Lemonrock website Herts
Hertfordshire performance Welwyn/ St Albans non-professional
Philharmonia
Hardynge Choir performance Wheathampstead all, YP reduced non-professional no a
membership
Comhalthas band St Albans
Ceolteori Eireann
Orchestra Nova performance
St Albans Music classes and music groups St Albans Young People
School
St Albans Organ monthly concerts St Albans
Museum
Choir of St John's Harpenden
Palace Opera productions, performance Childwickbury Professional
St Albans Chamber performance, workshops St Albans
Opera
St Albans Choral performance St Albans non-professional
Society
Carillon Chamber performance St Albans non-professional
Choir
St Albans City Band performance St Albans
Page 11 of 16
Artform Venue/ organisation Activity Location Target group Level
Cantilena performance, social St Albans women non-professional no a
Blue Angel Accoustic open forum for singer songwriters St Albans
Cafe
Love Music St Albans
Promotions
Young Music Makers education St Albans
St Mary's Singers St Albans
Redbourn Folk Club informal singing nights St Albans non-professional
Proleen Music St Albans
St Albans Bach Choir performance St Albans non-professional by a
Page 12 of 16
Artform Venue/ organisation Activity Location Target group Level
Dance Folk
North West Clog St Albans
Morris Dancing
Harpenden Scottish classes Harpenden
Dancing Club
St Albans Morris Men classes, social St Albans Men
Dance Unlimited dance school United Reform Church children non-professional
Masquerade St Albans
St Albans & Mid social events, entertainment, dancing St Albans adults, children
Herts Caledonian
Society
Club Havana classes, social St Albans non-professional
All Hands Around barndance St Albans
Bernice Waldren classes Harpenden adults
School of Ballet
Stephanie Ledger classes Harpenden
School of Dancing
Easy Weasel St Albans
Trestle Arts Base classes Highfield Park all
Blue Velvet Line classes Chiswell Green
Dancers
Penny Waterman classes St Albans & District children, YP, adults non-professional
School of Dancing
Page 13 of 16
Artform Venue/ organisation Activity Location Target group Level
Ceroc Metro classes City Centre non-professional
Ballet Club talks, demonstrations, outings City Centre all
Street Dance classes St Albans, Harpenden Young people, adults
Productions
Young Miscellany St Albans
Folk Dance Club
Medau Movement St Albans
English Folk Dance Sandridge
& Song Society
Marguerita Hoare classes, registered teachers Sandridge children, YP non-professional
School of Dancing
Wicket Brood Morris Bricket Wood
Creative dance classes St Albans Children non-professional
classes for children
Heel and toe club St Albans
Dance in classes, performance, training, workshops Herts children, YP, all professional
Hertfordshire
The Dance Studio classes St Albans/ Harpenden children, YP non-professional
Let’s Dance St Albans
Circle Dance classes, social St Albans all non-professional
St Albans Abbey St Albans
Folk Dance Club
Page 14 of 16
Artform Venue/ organisation Activity Location Target group Level
Friday Folk St Albans
St Albans Barn St Albans
Dancing Society
Herts Folk social dancing club St Albans all non-professional
Association
Morris Federation St Albans
Marjorie Bailey classes St Albans
School of Dancing
Fiddlebridge St Albans
Literature Creative writing
Verulam Writer’s workshops, readings, guest speakers St Michaels non-professional/ pro
Circle
Harpenden Writers Harpenden
Ver Poets workshops, poetry readings, guest poets, St Albans all non-professional
competitions
Young Poet Society website Redbourn young people
Film Film
St Albans Movie film and video making cub Sandridge non-professional
Makers
Page 15 of 16
Artform Venue/ organisation Activity Location Target group Level
Combined Arts Combined Arts
SACHA advice, networking St Albans & District all professional
Anandamela Bengali cultural activities eg dancers, Bengali community
celebrations, poetry, art workshops,
exhibitions, singing, musical performance
St Albans Cathedral performance City Centre professional
St Albans Festival St Albans
for the Performing
Arts
Theatre Train performing arts school St Albans Young people
STARTS campaign group St Albans
Page 16 of 16
Facilities Mapping
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
Thistle Hotel conference rooms
Tapas Marisco
(Buzz Bar)
Tennyson Hall
The George pub
The Whitehorse pub
Batchwood Margaret WIX Field and hall, music/dancing
Primary School licence
Batchwood Batchwood Golf dance studio, bar, hall 150
and Tennis Centre
Page 1 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
Bricket Wood St Lukes Church 3 rooms 120/200
Hall
Bricket Wood Bricket Wood URC hall and meeting room 60/16
Bricket Wood Bricket Wood 4 rooms for hire 20/20/40/90
Parish Centre
Bricket Wood Bricket Wood Sports hall
Sports Centre and
Hall
Chiswell Green Chiswell Green
Scout Hut
Chiswell Green Greenwood Park hall, sports hall 90/400
Leisure Centre
Chiswell Green Chiswell Green Hall 60
United reformed
Church Hall
Page 2 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
City Centre The Cock pub
City Centre St Albans City clubhouse
Football Club
City Centre Casa bar
City Centre Central Library exhibition area
City Centre Friends Meeting various rooms 90
House
City Centre St Albans School classrooms, hall, lecture 595/90
theatre, outdoor theatre
City Centre Cinta Garden
Restaurant
City Centre City Band Hall
Page 3 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
City Centre The Blacksmith's pub
Arms
City Centre Adelaide Nightclub nightclub
City Centre Martinis/ Radio restaurant
Days
City Centre Clarence Park park, bandstand
City Centre St Peter’s Church church hall 100 100
City Centre Age Concern rooms 80
Welfare Centre
City Centre Maltings Arts Studio theatre, Meeting room,
Theatre cafe
City Centre Alban Arena Auditorium, Foyer Space, 856 seated, 1150
cinema screen, & projector, PA standing
system, lower & circle foyers 50
Page 4 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
City Centre O'Neils pub
City Centre Alma Road, Youth music recording studio and
Service music equipment available to
young people
City Centre Margaret Harvey gallery
Gallery
City Centre Anastasias restaurant
City Centre Maltings Shopping
Centre
City Centre Quality Hotel conference rooms, exhibition
rooms, meeting & seminar
rooms
City Centre St Albans & hall
Stephen's Jr School
Page 5 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
City Centre Vintry bar
City Centre Town Hall Assembly Room, court room, 120/70/40
foyer
City Centre University of Herts, Law Lecture Theatre
Law Faculty
City Centre Jubilee Centre main hall, 2 smaller rooms 130/30
City Centre Herts & Beds 1 small room
Pastoral Foundation
City Centre Better Living hall, small corner stage 80
Centre, 7th day
Adventist Church
City Centre Havana Dance
Centre
Page 6 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
City Centre Oaklands College hall, smaller rooms, inc lecture 300/50
theatre
City Centre Museum of St gallery 2, activity room 40
Albans
City Centre Waterend Barn pub
Colney Heath Colney Heath hall 120
Scout and Guide
Centre
Colney Heath Nicholas Classrooms, dining room, hall,
Breakspear (RC) stage
School
Colney Heath St Marks Christian 4 rooms 100
Centre
Colney Heath Charles Morris Hall hall 120
Page 7 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
Colney Heath Colney Heath hall, community room 100/30
Village Hall
Fleetville Rats Castle pub
Fleetville St Paul's Church games room, large hall, small 150/60
Hall hall, lounge, coffee bar,
performing rights licence
Fleetville Fleetville 2 halls and smaller rooms
Community Centre
Fleetville Hatfield Road hall, smaller rooms 300/70
Methodist Church
Fleetville Fleetville Library room for hire
Harpenden Sir John Lawes Classrooms, dining room, hall
School
Harpenden Old Cock Inn pub
Page 8 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
Harpenden Harpenden Sports dance studio
Centre
Harpenden Hanover 3 function rooms 150
International Hotel
Harpenden Rothamstead
Conference Centre
Harpenden Inn on the Green
Harpenden Lourdes Hall
Harpenden Southdown church/ 2 halls 150
Methodist Church
Halls
Harpenden Batford Memorial Hall 150
Hall
Harpenden Harpenden Library display space
Page 9 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
Harpenden All Saints Church Hall with small stage 70
Harpenden Park Hall Hall 85/180
Harpenden Rothamsted Park
Harpenden Billy's Bar and bar and restaurant
Restaurant
Harpenden Harpenden Trust hall-, no licence 50/100
Centre
Harpenden Harpenden Public Public hall, Room- screen, bar. 440/120
Halls
Harpenden Harpenden House 7 conference and banqueting 2/150
Hotel rooms
Harpenden St John's Church hall 50/100
Hall
Page 10 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
Harpenden St George's School various rooms of all sizes
Harpenden Friends Meeting school room, meeting room 30/50
House
Hatfield University of Herts
Highfield London Road 2 halls 75/130
Estate Social Centre
Highfield Butterwick Day Large hall, smaller rooms 120/50
Centre
Highfield Trestle Arts Base Studio theatre, meeting room, 125/50
workshop, dance studio, foyer
space, café/bar
Highfield Francis Bacon Hall, classrooms, drama 350
School studio, gym, senior dining area
Page 11 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
Jersey Farm Jersey farm Large hall, small committee
Community Centre room
London Colney All Saints Pastoral various rooms alcohol licence 10-160
Centre
London Colney London Colney hall 150
Community Centre
London Colney The Kings Head pub
London Colney Golden Lion pub
London Colney The Pear and pub
Partridge
London Colney The Bell pub
London Colney Pavillion
Page 12 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
London Colney London Colney hall and small lounge 60/100
Village Club
Marshalswick Marshalswick committee room, hall 30/120
Community Centre
Marshalswick Marshalswick
Baptist Free Church
Marshalswick The Baton pub
Marshalswick St Mary's Church hall 100
Hall
Marshalswick Homewood Road 2 halls 40/100
United Reform
Church
Marshalswick Sandringham Sandpit Theatre
School
Page 13 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
Park Street Park Street Village 2 rooms 130
Hall
Redbourn Jarvis Aubery Park 5 conference rooms and
Hotel marquee facilities
Redbourn Ramada Jarvis
Hemel
Redbourn Redbourn Village
Museum
Redbourn Redbourn Village large hall, suite, room, PA 180/120/16
Hall system, 2 pianos
Redbourn The Studio
Redbourn Redbourn meeting room
Recreation Centre
Redbourn Redbourn Library display space
Page 14 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
Sandridge Sandridge Scout
Headquarters
Sandridge Sandridge Village Main hall 110
Hall
Sandridge Sandridge Youth &
Sports Centre
Smallford Oaklands College hall, various rooms 200/50
Sopwell St Julian's Church hall 100
Hall
Sopwell Marlborough large meeting hall, kitchen,
Pavillion recreation ground, changing
facilities
Sopwell Sopwell House conference rooms
Hotel
Page 15 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
St Albans Verulam Arms
St Albans St Saviours Church committee room, hall 35/120
Hall
St Albans The Crown pub
St Albans Grange Social Club
St Albans The Horn Reborn pub- live bands
St Albans The Mermaid pub- live bands
St Albans The Peacock pub
St Albans The Peahen pub
St Albans The White Lion pub- live bands
Page 16 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
St Albans Aboyne Lodge hall, lodge room 40
School
St Albans Verulam School dining room, hall 250/300
St Albans St Columbias
College
St Albans Duke of pub- barn
Marlborough
St Albans St Bartholemew's committee room, hall 100
Parish Centre
St Albans Batchwood Hall 2 halls- 100 and 300 100/300
St Albans Barneys bar and restaurant
St Albans Dagnell Street
Baptist Church
Page 17 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
St Albans Beaumont School gym, hall
St Albans Ardmore House meeting room
Hotel
St Albans The White Hart Tap pub- live bands
St Albans St Albans
Cathedral and
Abbey Church
St Albans Old Albanian range of rooms
Sports Association
St Albans New Greens hall
Community Centre
St Albans Marlborough Road Organ
Methodist Church
St Albans Pre Hotel
Page 18 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
St Albans Independent Chapel
St Albans Spencer School
St Albans Scout Hut
St Albans St Albans and St
Stephen's Parish
Hall
St Albans Marlborough School 2 halls, gym, sports hall, 300/400
swimming pool
St Albans St Albans Girls classrooms, dining room
School
St Albans St Albans Museum
St Albans King Harry Pub live bands
Page 19 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
St Albans Royal British Legion
St Albans St Albans Music practice rooms, hall
School
St Albans Fudge bar
St Albans St Albans Organ auditorium- organ concerts
Museum
St Albans Spotted Bull
St Michaels Manor Hotel 3 conference rooms 20
St Michaels The Rose and pub- live bands
Crown
St Michaels St Michael's hall 150
Memorial hall
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Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
St Michaels St Michael's
Church Hall
St Michaels The Six Bells pub- live bands
The Camp St Albans hall 85
Pentecostal Church
hall
Townsend Pioneer Youth
Centre
Townsend Townsend Bowling hall, meeting room 120/20
and Sports Club
Verulamium Park Abbey Theatre Main Theatre, alcohol and 244
public entertainment licence,
props, costumes, club room,
studio theatre 70
Verulamium Park Westminster Lodge dance studio
Sports Centre
Page 21 of 22
Location Venue Activity Capacity Public Entertainment Licence Theatre Licence Bar
Verulamium Park Verulamium Park open space
Verulamium Park Inn on the Park small functions area
Verulamium Park Sea Cadets Hall 80/100
Wheathampstead Wheathampstead hall, smaller rooms 150-250
Memorial hall
Wheathampstead The Swan pub
Wheathampstead Hilldyke
Community Centre
Wheathampstead United Reformed 2 small rooms, large hall
Church
Page 22 of 22