Chapter Arts Centre
Encyclopedia
Chapter Arts Centre is an arts centre
in Canton
, Cardiff
, Wales
. It hosts film
s, plays
, performance art
and live music, and includes a free art gallery
, café
and bars. There are also over 60 work spaces, used for an eclectic range of purposes including Chapter's own training courses.
Income for the venue largely derives from the film theatre. It shows mainstream Hollywood films as well as a considerable array of foreign and independent film
s on a regular basis.
More recently Chapter underwent a £3.8 million redevelopment, designed by architects Ash Sakula Architects
, who were appointed in 2006. The practice prioritised remodelling of the public areas on the ground floor, while adding a storey-high 'light box' above the main entrance as an 'artistic billboard'. The centre remained open through the redevelopment and the new Chapter opened in November 2009. The building won a R.I.B.A.
Wales Award in 2010. The new open-plan design was described as user friendly with many great details.
The centre now welcomes nearly 750,000 visitors a year and provides facilities for 150 voluntary organisations.
Arts centre
An art centre or arts center is distinct from an art gallery or art museum. An arts centre is a functional community centre with a specific remit to encourage arts practice and to provide facilities such as theatre space, gallery space, venues for musical performance, workshop areas, educational...
in Canton
Canton, Cardiff
Canton is an inner-city district and community in the west of Cardiff, capital of Wales, lying west of the city's civic centre. One of the most ethnically diverse of Cardiff's suburbs, with a significant Asian population such as Pakistanis and Indians, Canton has a population just in excess of...
, Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. It hosts film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
s, plays
Play (theatre)
A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed...
, performance art
Performance art
In art, performance art is a performance presented to an audience, traditionally interdisciplinary. Performance may be either scripted or unscripted, random or carefully orchestrated; spontaneous or otherwise carefully planned with or without audience participation. The performance can be live or...
and live music, and includes a free art gallery
Art gallery
An art gallery or art museum is a building or space for the exhibition of art, usually visual art.Museums can be public or private, but what distinguishes a museum is the ownership of a collection...
, café
Café
A café , also spelled cafe, in most countries refers to an establishment which focuses on serving coffee, like an American coffeehouse. In the United States, it may refer to an informal restaurant, offering a range of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches...
and bars. There are also over 60 work spaces, used for an eclectic range of purposes including Chapter's own training courses.
Income for the venue largely derives from the film theatre. It shows mainstream Hollywood films as well as a considerable array of foreign and independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
s on a regular basis.
Spaces
- Gallery spaces
- Two film theatres (capacities: 188 and 57)
- Two theatres (capacities: 96 and 60 seated, also standing)
- Two bars (ground floor has normal opening hours; upstairs is open for specific events)
- Café
- Shop
- Several spaces for hire (varying sizes)
- Many spaces for ongoing art production, resident artists, etc
History
Chapter was founded by local artists, Christine Kinsey and Bryan Jones with journalist Mike Flood and opened in 1971. The building was previously a school, Canton High School, and was built in 1905.More recently Chapter underwent a £3.8 million redevelopment, designed by architects Ash Sakula Architects
Ash Sakula Architects
Ash Sakula Architects are a small, award-winning architecture practice based in London, UK. They were founded in 1996.Ash Sakula was formed by architects Cany Ash and Robert Sakula. Ash previously worked for the GLC Architects Department, Burrell Foley Fischer and posts overseas. She is an external...
, who were appointed in 2006. The practice prioritised remodelling of the public areas on the ground floor, while adding a storey-high 'light box' above the main entrance as an 'artistic billboard'. The centre remained open through the redevelopment and the new Chapter opened in November 2009. The building won a R.I.B.A.
Royal Institute of British Architects
The Royal Institute of British Architects is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but also internationally.-History:...
Wales Award in 2010. The new open-plan design was described as user friendly with many great details.
The centre now welcomes nearly 750,000 visitors a year and provides facilities for 150 voluntary organisations.