News: ROAR hoping to secure some of the People's Millions for Rotherham

Rotherham Open Arts Reniassance (ROAR) is hoping to secure a grant of £50,000 today that will help create a dedicated arts space in Rotherham town centre.

ROAR is one of eight other projects in Yorkshire for the People's Millions Big Lottery Fund Programme and will be up against a project in Holgate, York. A short video about the projects will be shown on the ITV regional news between 6.00pm and 6.30pm.

ROAR's project is to convert 5,000 square feet of empty office space into low cost artists studios and community space – suitable for workshops and temporary events – accessible to all.

ROAR has identified the top floor of Westgate Chambers in Rotherham town centre as a suitable site. Close to the mini arts hub in the Imperial Buildings and next to the newly developed Old Market, (the ground floor of which is currently being used for exhibitions and events), the site offers fantastic opportunities to enlarge the independent artistic offer for Rotherham.

Currently many arts based groups meet and deliver workshops sessions in community centres and office spaces or general meeting rooms and many visual artists work in isolation at home and in inappropriate or not ideal surroundings.

ROAR wishes to create a space where artists (from all disciplines) can get together, work, network, learn, inspire and be inspired. The space is large enough and suitable for around ten artists studios, workshop, meeting, office and rehearsal space as well as for short or long term storage.

Karen Sherwood, CEO at ROAR said: "ROAR is absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for this money and is now campaigning for support for our project. We really believe that our proposal will offer new opportunities for the people of Rotherham through the arts and economic benefit to Rotherham town centre. All we have to do now is win the TV vote!"

ROAR website
People's Millions website

Images: rotherhamroar.org