Opera North today announces that it is to receive a Capital Kickstart award of £500,000 from Arts Council England and DCMS as part of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.
The money will be used to support Music Works, the Company’s £18m redevelopment project in its home city of Leeds. Despite the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, including an increasingly challenging fundraising environment, the Company has continued its work on the new Howard Opera Centre over the past year, underlining its determination to create a world class arts facility in the heart of the city.
The Howard Opera Centre will contain Opera North’s rehearsal studios, costume and wigs workshop, and administrative offices. Situated on New Briggate and Harrison Street, the work features a new Education Studio and additional rehearsal spaces, including a new rehearsal room for the Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North and a suite of music coaching rooms.
The Company’s eclectic performance venue, the Howard Assembly Room, will reopen with a new dedicated and fully accessible entrance and atrium, and a new restaurant and bar will replace a row of previously vacant shop units. The work is being delivered by Henry Boot Construction, an award-winning regional construction contractor based in Sheffield.
View of the mezzanine/viewing gallery, new orchestra rehearsal studio in the Howard Opera Centre, with mesh being laid on the floor in preparation for concrete pour © Tom Arber
Richard Mantle, General Director, Opera North:
“This vital support from Arts Council England will help us to mitigate some of the impacts of the Covid pandemic on the major redevelopment of our home in Leeds. The first lockdown meant that we had to halt work for six weeks and, with social distancing in place, the construction company has still not been able to return to full capacity. However, the first phase is now due to be ready by Spring 2021, with final completion planned for the summer.
“We believe culture can lead the way in the city’s recovery and we look forward to the Howard Opera Centre becoming a beacon of positivity for the arts in Leeds and the wider region. Alongside the improved facilities for our musicians, our new Education Studio will become a hub for community activity, enabling people of all ages to come together and engage with music and opera in a creative and stimulating environment.
“Coming at a time when the fundraising environment is challenging, this Capital Kickstart award will help us to achieve these goals, and we are very grateful for the confidence Arts Council England and the DCMS continue to show in Opera North and its work.”
Entrance to the new orchestra rehearsal studio above existing Harewood and Linacre rehearsal studios in the Howard Opera Centre, with mesh being laid on the floor in preparation for concrete pour © Tom Arber
The Company has recently launched the Play Your Part campaign seeking support from Patrons, Friends and audience members, as well as continuing to attract funding from the business community in Leeds and further charitable trusts and foundations to raise the remaining £2m.
Support Opera North
As a charity, Opera North relies on donations to ensure that we can continue producing new and diverse work. You can help us use music to bring people together, now and in the future.
