Plan for new arts centre in Sheffield as cultural organisation moves from London

A new arts centre is planned in the middle of Sheffield as a cultural organisation relocates to the city from London.
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Arts Catalyst has been operating for 25 years, and specialises in commissioning work that focuses on science and technology.

It has a base in King's Cross where exhibitions, events and projects take place - however, the charity is now moving to Sheffield, a process that will be complete later this year.

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Arts Catalyst's founding director, Nicola Triscott, left early in 2019 to become CEO of the FACT cinema and gallery in Liverpool. Laura Clarke, formerly the curator at Park Hill's S1 Artspace, was then appointed artistic director and joint CEO of Arts Catalyst alongside its executive director Claudia Lastra, who also lives in Sheffield.

Laura Clarke, of Arts Catalyst.Laura Clarke, of Arts Catalyst.
Laura Clarke, of Arts Catalyst.

The core team of Laura, Claudia and curator Anna Santomauro are now looking for a suitable building in which to set up a centre featuring a gallery space, an open kitchen or café, a research area and potentially creative workspaces.

They are looking at premises in and around Castlegate, which is poised to undergo significant regeneration after the indoor markets shifted to The Moor.

"One of the things that's exciting about Sheffield is that architecturally it's so idiosyncratic," said Laura. "While we've been viewing certain buildings that all have some amazing potential in different ways, there's always something so far that hasn't been quite right. But I'm confident we'll be able to find that space that feels like it fits."

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The relocation made sense for 'a combination of reasons', Laura said.

Myths for a Wetlands Imaginary, a storytelling workshop led by Sheffield artists Sam Vardy and Paula McCloskey.Myths for a Wetlands Imaginary, a storytelling workshop led by Sheffield artists Sam Vardy and Paula McCloskey.
Myths for a Wetlands Imaginary, a storytelling workshop led by Sheffield artists Sam Vardy and Paula McCloskey.

"The city's got an amazing DIY ethos and quite an exciting, growing cultural landscape at the moment. It's got a really strong independent spirit, but also its industrial heritage has shaped Sheffield culturally, socially, politically and geographically. If you think about the ways we work, and the subjects we're interested in, Sheffield feels like it has a lot of synergies."

The King's Cross centre opened in 2016. Prior to that Arts Catalyst had no permanent headquarters and was 'almost itinerant', Laura said, working on a roving basis with other organisations, festivals, research institutes and artists. The London venue is shutting in summer.

"It doesn't give us the flexibility we hope for," Laura explained. "It's very much just two decent-sized gallery spaces and our offices underneath - there's no scope to expand on that."

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Arts Catalyst's recent commissions have included Working Waters, a piece with an environmental message by Sheffield artist Ruth Levene which consists of a 3D model of the River Calder catchment, an area often affected by flooding.

Artist and filmmaker Emilija Škarnulytė at an Arts Catalyst event.Artist and filmmaker Emilija Škarnulytė at an Arts Catalyst event.
Artist and filmmaker Emilija Škarnulytė at an Arts Catalyst event.

Ruth's model, made in conjunction with miniaturist David Riley, included tiny scenes ranging from canal locks and flood defences to tourists on walking holidays and flooded shops. People were invited to move the parts around to 'become a steward of the water systems'.

Meanwhile one of Arts Catalyst's biggest past successes came in 2000 when it accompanied several artists on a zero-gravity flight at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City, Russia. A number of space-themed works were created as a result.

"There aren't currently any cultural organisations in Sheffield that are working in this transdisciplinary crossover between art and science," said Laura. "It exists, in the form of Festival of the Mind, but that is a moment throughout the year."

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Arts Catalyst is one of Arts Council England's national portfolio organisations. In its new 10-year strategy, ACE has promised to invest more money in previously under-served communities.

"If you think about other similar-sized cities the difference in Arts Council funding in those areas compared to Sheffield is fairly significant," said Laura. "Leeds or Manchester have historically had a lot more cultural investment. I think that's starting to change now. It feels like quite an exciting moment for us to come in and support what's going on in the city already."

The arts centre will 'ideally' open in Sheffield in spring or summer 2021, she said. A programme of work called Recentring Attention is happening in the meantime, to raise awareness of Arts Catalyst's activities.

The Sheffield Property Association has been helping in the search for an appropriate building. Laura's viewings have encompassed the Old Town Hall, but rooms have been accounted for and its listed status means the capacity for alterations is constrained. Premises that can't be leased have been ruled out too.

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"We're a charity so we're not in a position to purchase anything," said Laura. "We need to be able to rent somewhere. It's about finding the developer or a landlord that sees the value in what we do, and understands that we need a long enough lease to be able to grow into the space and make it a really valuable part of the fabric of the city."