Vision of St Albans as primary regional focus for the arts
The two proposals arising from the City Vision process have now been merged into one which is still in draft form but which is very likely to become the definitive version. We are delighted that the notion of the development of our city as a primary regional focus for the arts is still very much on the agenda. The document says:
‘The city’s active cultural life will be enhanced and diversified to help meet the needs of residents and visitors as lifestyles shift and priorities change, establishing St Albans as a cultural hub within the region.’
It also says that the Civic Centre South site ‘…represents a valuable opportunity to transform the city centre and create an engaging and attractive centre that works, in terms of movement. This will be considered in terms of redevelopment or refurbishment potential to create a cultural hub…
Amongst the many arts-related proposals are the ones to:
- Redevelop a larger art gallery in the city centre, perhaps using an architectural competition to create an iconic contemporary building for the city.
- Refurbish or redevelop the Alban Arena with larger capacity to attract national and international acts, and marketing a combined offer of theatre and heritage.
- Create a piazza on to which the Alban Arena can front
Overall, the city vision document seems gratifyingly in tune with the STARTS aims.
Richard Brown, Chairman
April 3, 2010 at 3:20 pm
The redevelop a larger art gallery in the city centre is a wonderful idea and local artists will welcome it.