Pound Arts is a registered charity (charity number 1102787), limited by guarantee. We run The Pound arts centre, based in Corsham, two annual festivals and the Rural Arts touring programme, which comprises the rural touring schemes for Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire.
Our mission:
‘Connecting people through creativity’.
Our Vision:
‘For the communities in our region to be engaged with breathtaking artistic experiences regardless of their background or circumstances. To be a creative catalyst and a place of refuge, discovery and nourishment for the public and artists alike. To maintain and grow a sustainable flagship arts provision across the region that acts as a model for excellent work that engages the soul, stimulates the mind and entertains the spirit of our communities.
Our Values:
– Artistic Excellence championed across a broad range of art forms.
– Creativity through developing and supporting artists
– Social Responsibility by fostering respect for diversity and community cohesion
– Inclusion by stripping down barriers to engagement
You can contact us by telephone, (01249) 701 628, or by email, [email protected].
The Pound is a welcoming and vibrant venue in the centre of Corsham with a 100-seat auditorium, and exhibition space, cafe bar, parking and baby-friendly facilities. The centre also includes rehearsal and workshop spaces, studios housing three resident visual artists and a community workshop.
Blue Sky Festival is a joyous warm, quirky, family festival of the arts in June.
Magic and Mayhem festival is a contemporary blend of illusion, glamour, laughter, oddities and imagination in November.
Rural Arts Touring. Pound Arts works in partnership with volunteer promoters in up to 60 villages across Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire to stage around 40 professional performances and 20 participatory arts events every year.
Our Creative Learning department delivers education and outreach projects across the region, working to connect people through the arts.
The Pound Arts team are an eclectic bunch of passionate professionals.
Russ Tunney
Director
Helen Dilley
Creative Learning & Wellbeing Manager
Mike Williams
Box Office & Marketing Manager
Chris Moore
Administration & Business Manager
Melissa Pictor
Marketing Officer
Anna Harriott
Programmer
Claire Todd
Artist Curator
Dan Steadman
Venue Technician
Magda Makasow
Cafe Bar Manager
Rachel Bewley
Visitor Services and Community Officer
Pound Arts offers three-year residencies, with support and exposure to musicians, theatre-makers and visual artists in order for them to make their work in the heart of Corsham.
Anya Beaumont
Resident Artist
Anya Beaumont is a visual artist and lecturer. Growing up in the rural north of England and then moving to Manchester and London, contrasts in the physical environment and its influence have been a significant factor in her practice. Within her observations of place, concerns of contemporary life infiltrate the pieces and sit alongside musings on Britain's architectural story.
Caroline Rudge
Resident Artist
Caroline's subversive and humorous portraits combine time honoured techniques with postmodern sensibilities. Playing with the notion of traditional portraiture, her striking paintings juxtapose the classic with the contemporary. www.carolinerudge.com/
Laura Richards
Resident Artist
Laura's paintings provide a calming space to contemplate and consider. Evocative oil paintings full of depth, light and feeling. Drawing on the powerful connection of the natural elements, subtle suggestion, and memories.
The Auditorium, Rehearsal Room, Gale Curry Studio, Meeting Room, Music Pod and Community Workshop are all available to hire for a wide range of events and different sized groups.
For more information on booking, availability and rates, please contact the box office ([email protected]) and request a Room Hire Booking Form.
Auditorium
With a sound system, lighting rig, projector and screen, our 104-seated auditorium (130 max capacity with extra rows) is highly adaptable for all manner of live events and film screenings. Alternatively, the raised seating can be pushed away to create a single large and open space.
Rehearsal Room
A large, bright and airy room with a sprung floor and ballet bars fitted to the wall. This is a great space for larger exercise classes as well as workshop groups with the option for chairs and tables to be moved into the space.
Gale Curry Studio
A good fit for smaller exercise classes and workshops. The room includes ballet bars and a black Harlequin dance floor; a lighting rig, sound system, projector and screen. It can also be used for intimate events and screenings, with black curtains that can blackout the space.
Meeting Room
This small bright and airy room is perfect for intimate meetings and workshops with the option to add chairs and desks into the space. It is attached by double doors to the Rehearsal Room and both spaces can be hired together.
Community Workshop
Adjacent to the main arts centre building, this small, bright and warm workshop space is perfect for intimate arts and craft groups with a sink that can be used for cleaning brushes and materials.