Square Chapel Arts Centre saved after going into administration and is under new management

The centre has been saved after going into administration in March 2020.

As of September 3, Arts At The Mill CIC with the support of Arts Council England and Calderdale Council, became official owners of the much-loved venue in the heart of Halifax.

Since the closure of Square Chapel in March, the team at Arts At The Mill have formed Square Chapel CIC, a non-profit organisation and worked closely with Arts Council England

and Calderdale Council to ensure a smooth transition, and putting the Calderdale community at the heart of future planning.

The commitment and support received from both organisations has been critical and instrumental in securing a future for Square Chapel Arts Centre and all parties are invested

and collaboratively focussed into the new era for the site and the team.

Square Chapel Arts Centre will be headed up by four experienced directors - Dave Jenkins (Managing Director), Jonny Davenport (Artistic Director), Michelle Mayor (Director of Operations) and Rebecca Davenport (Sales and Marketing Director).

Dave Jenkins, Managing Director, said: “Square Chapel is an amazing accessible space, setting and auditorium of creativity and such an important asset for the people of Calderdale.

"All at Arts At The Mill are incredibly excited and humbled to have been supported both locally and nationally to co-develop the next stages of the arts centre.

"It has been a hard old time for all in the creative sector and it has been amazing to be able to safeguard the centre’s future and to retain some fantastically talented team members whose experience and links to the community are vitally important as we plan for the reopening.

"There will be every opportunity to input into the future planning and as new custodians of the arts centre, we are very much ready to listen and support the ambitions of the community, freelancers and artists who have been severely impacted by the Covid-19 Pandemic.”

Arts At The Mill is the umbrella for Wigan organisations The Old Courts, Wigan Pier and The Royal Court Theatre. Arts At The Mill is an organisation that is deeply rooted in creating,

producing and programming work with the community.

The acquisition of Square Chapel allows Arts At The Mill to support and facilitate the local team to drive forward cohesive activity.

Pete Massey, Director Yorkshire, Arts Council England said: “Square Chapel has been an integral part of Halifax’s cultural life for a long time and the Arts Council is delighted that Arts at the Mill will now be taking the organisation forward.

"At a time when things are incredibly tough for many arts organisations, it’s great to see such a well-established institution being saved from closure. Arts at the Mill is an ideal fit with Square Chapel and Halifax, and I can’t wait to visit again to experience some fantastic performance work when circumstances allow.

"We were delighted to see Calderdale Council reaffirm their commitment to the venue and acknowledge that this rescue would not have been possible without the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.”

Square Chapel is known for the support from its high-profile patrons and that continues with the announcement of two additional supporters from the world of music. BBC Radio 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins and International DJ Graeme Park were familiar faces at the arts centre over the years, they are now both pledging their support by accepting the role of patron across Square Chapel Arts Centre and The Old Courts in Wigan.

Councillor Susan Press, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, said: “Calderdale is well known for its distinctive arts and culture.

"We know how much value Square Chapel brings to our community and our economy, and what an important part it plays in people’s lives. We are delighted to be working with Arts At The Mill to secure its future as an arts centre for everyone to enjoy once it reopens.”

Over the coming months the team at Square Chapel will be planning, consulting and preparing to re-open in line with government guidelines and to deliver a world-class programme.