Washington Arts Centre celebrates £250,000 windfall

The Arts Centre Washington has been awarded £257,609 from Arts Council England and The National Lottery.

The money will help improve facilities, including the art gallery and theatre.

Arts Centre Washington’s creative director Helen Green said: “We are absolutely delighted with this news.

“We have some really special atmospheric spaces at the arts centre converted from old stone farm buildings, that artists love to work in, and our community love to visit.

“This funding will enable the arts centre to join the 21st century, providing bang-up-to-date equipment and facilities that address the needs of all our visitors.”

The project will also be partially match-funded with a further £45,000 investment from Sunderland City Council, which owns and manages the centre.

Jane Tarr, director north, Arts Council England, said: “Arts Centre Washington is a great resource for Sunderland and the local community, and I’m delighted that it has been awarded funding.

“Our funding will help the organisation to upgrade its main event spaces, ensuring artists and audiences have the best experience possible and that the centre becomes a thriving and resilient arts hub.”

The centre, which consists of converted 19th century farm buildings redeveloped in 1972, boasts a theatre, gallery, rehearsal rooms, studios for creative industry tenants, recording studio, dance studio, art workshop, café and bar.