Arts Council England have offered CAS (Chapel Arts Studios) in Andover NPO (National Portfolio Organisation) funding for the next four years 2018 – 2022.
CAS, based in Andover Hampshire, is now set to fulfill a leading role in arts education and community engagement. It will also grow and strengthen the creative ecology in North Hampshire through its network of artists and their continuing professional development.
CAS Associate Artists are very grateful to David Dixon (Founder), Dawn Evans (Curator) and Maija Liepins (Engagement Officer) for their work on the NPO application. The artist-led CAS team especially wishes to thank the Test Valley Arts Foundation (TVAF) for their continued support as CAS matures.
Plans include new artist studios and artist residencies, a gallery, and developing the successful network of socially engaged artists in Andover and the region to reach more communities.
In recent months CAS has formed an interim board and has ambitious plans for expansion that will meet the Arts Council conditions for this new status.
David Dixon lead artist, said “We are very grateful to Arts Council England for this vote of confidence in our young and growing organisation. With their support, we look forward to working with new and existing partners in order to challenge, inspire, create, engage and include a wide variety of artist-led activity in Hampshire and beyond.”
“Now is a great time to get involved with our organisation and we are very keen to hear from artists to join our network, or those who can bring skills to the board, or other volunteer roles.”
“We are delighted to be welcoming Chapel Arts Studio into the National Portfolio” said Phil Gibby, Area Director, Arts Council, South West.
“They are an artist-led centre for contemporary artists who have a positive cultural and social impact across north Hampshire. We are proud to support them and are excited by their plans to host residencies for international and local artists as well as to expand on their education programme.”
“This investment will support them to further establish themselves as a multi-purpose art centre in the Test Valley, bringing great art and culture to an area that has traditionally lacked an arts infrastructure.“
