About Us
Welcome
History
Organisation
Access
Refreshments
Volunteers
Opening Hours
Key
Welcome
Welcome to Cranleigh Arts Centre...
It's almost time to start pulling out those hats and gloves from the back of the wardrobe and begin looking ahead to the festive season. We've got some brilliant events coming up for your diary and we hope you'll notice some important changes at the Arts Centre. This season Cranleigh Arts will publish
details of our plans for the coming year: to provide a community venue; develop local artists; encourage people to participate in arts activity and to celebrate and develop village culture and heritage. We aim to deliver to you our vision for the future of Cranleigh Arts creatively, sustainably, equably and collaboratively.
We provide fantastic entertainment for all ages, offering over 100 good quality; entertaining, sometimes challenging events and exhibitions this year (see our events, gallery programme and highlights). So look out for great opportunities and brand new additions to our programme over the coming year, starting with Home Brew (see pgs 4 & 7). Our Artists-in-Residence scheme, (see pg 13) provides support for local artists, and help them develop within their practice. Our current Artists in Residence, Shalini Bhalla (Dancer/Choreographer) and Penny Green (Ceramicist) are thriving as artistic practitioners, whilst inspiring
others through their classes (see pg 13). With over 600 individual arts classes a year, there's lots of reasons to get creative and learn something new so don't forget to check out our new arts classes for this season on pages 17-20 and the Big Draw pg 15. Last, but not least, join us as we celebrate village life and culture at this years Celebration of Light lantern parade for the switching on of
Cranleigh's Christmas Lights (see pg 14). It's going to be an exciting year with a lot to look forward to but our success depends on you! So please join us at an event, try out an art class, join us as a volunteer or make a small donation to ensure that Cranleigh Arts Centre continues to be another one of Cranleigh's success stories and continues to put smiles on faces.
Hope to see you here very soon.
Jenny Squire, Arts Centre Manager
History
At the eastern end of Cranleigh High Street, is a beautiful old building which began its life as the village school in 1847. For 117 years, the school housed generations of Cranleigh children, providing education for over 200 pupils at any one time. In 1966 it was closed and it wasn’t until 1978 that Waverley Borough Council, who owns the building, leased it to the Arts Centre.
During this time the main hall was used for numerous activities including exhibitions, sports such as badminton and Adult Education classes.
Funding received in the early 1980s was used to develop the performing arts for the community. Originally run by volunteers, the first paid member of staff, an Administrator, was employed in the late 1980s.
1995 saw months of hard work and exciting designs resulting in a Lottery application being submitted to the Arts Council of England. A nail-biting wait of eleven months followed before the fantastic news came that the centre had been awarded an amazing £1.056 million. Additional funding came from the Foundation of Sports and Arts and Cranleigh Arts Centre’s own resources.
The Arts Centre went through major refurbishment and in 1998 reopened its doors to the public as a new and improved, fully accessible site offering a platform for local artists and performers to display their works of art.
Today the Arts Centre boasts
- the multipurpose Jack Wagg Hall - the centrepiece of the building, which acts as the centre’s theatre, cinema and public meeting room
- The Crane Room accommodates a licensed bar and a kitchen at either end of it, both which can be closed or opened as required. The Crane Room can also be divided into two smaller rooms.
- The Gallery is a light, airy open space, which hosts touring exhibitions, work by local artists and community projects.
- The Art Studio, with large north facing windows, conducive for creativity and flair,
- An impressive and fully equipped Pottery.
The Cranleigh Arts Centre is a hive of activity, with a full programme of films,
live music, theatre productions, children’s activities, exhibitions and
workshops. It is also popular as a venue to hire for meetings, parties and community
events. Regular community arts projects and work with local schools ensure that
we reach and develop new audiences.
As a non-profit making community arts centre and registered charity we work hard to cover our costs. With just a small but energetic team of staff, we rely heavily on our dedicated team of volunteers in our aim to provide a professional and quality service.
Organisation
Mission Statement and Artistic Policy
Cranleigh Arts Centre has gone through an organisational development programme and we have updated our Mission Statement and Artistic Policy and these are available here to download.
Mission Statement and Artistic Policy (PDF)
Recruitment
There are no current permanent vacancies but Volunteers are always welcome. Please call 01483 278001 for further details.
Staff Structure (PDF)s
Access
The Centre is fully accessible for wheelchair users, including a disabled toilet. There are spaces available in the front row for wheelchairs and accompanying helpers receive a complimentary ticket. Please inform the Box Office when booking seats. A new Inductive Loop System has been installed in the JW Hall. There are also three disabled parking spaces in the car park.
Refreshments
Coffee Bar
Our coffee bar is open during opening hours and events. We serve refreshments, snacks, ice-cream and cakes during our opening hours. We do not serve meals, but you are welcome to bring your sandwiches and buy your drinks here. Come and enjoy your lunch at our tables outside in the sunshine or in the delightful surroundings of the Gallery.
Bar
The bar is open half an hour before and during most events.
Volunteers
The Centre is a registered charity and run mostly by volunteers. If you have a few hours to spare and would be able to help us out, please contact us. There are a variety of jobs, and it does not have to be a regular commitment.
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday 10am – 4.30pm
Saturday 10am – 1pm
If you would like to visit the gallery outside of these hours, please call to
arrange an appointment.
Key
Friends’ Offer
Community
