26/11/2024
The Creation Works CIO has received funding to build HWEL AN GWRIANS / THE CREATION WORKS. The building will place a sustainable, accessible, residential arts development centre in the heart of Par Bay.
Supporting and retaining Cornwall’s artists, The Creation Works will connect children & young people with performance makers from across Cornwall and beyond, offering routes into Cornwall’s creative sector. An extraordinary moment for Par!
With National Lottery funding through Arts Council England’s Project Grants, including for a 2018 feasibility study gathering the voices of over 100 artists, individuals & community organisations, the project has now received £929,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for economy said: ‘It is heartening to see that this award from the Shared Prosperity Fund will be put to such innovative use and help secure a performance space that will involve the community. We want to encourage initiatives such as this that will enable residents to get involved in producing and enjoying the arts, and all the benefits that brings for health and wellbeing Through our Good Growth Investment Plan, we want to build on Cornwall’s strong theatre and performing arts industry and create more opportunities for the local community with a focus on children and young people, and the wider community of Cornish performers.’
The main contractor building The Creation Works, Sureflow Building Services Ltd, is led by Brendon Cocking, who himself grew up in Par.
The Creation Works CIO Co-Artistic Director Miranda Henderson grew up in St Austell, leaving Cornwall in the ’90’s due to lack of opportunities. Having returned with her company in 2017, Henderson hopes the Creation Works will mean future generations feel supported here. ‘I love working here in my home of Cornwall. With the Creation Works here, we’ll be able to ensure young people don’t have to leave to find opportunities’.
Henderson’s company has, over the last few years, created a series of touring shows seen by thousands across Cornwall, and at festivals including Glastonbury. International touring has included trips to Italy, Denmark, and performing for the British Council’s GREAT DIVERSITY programme at the Qatar World Cup. In 2021, the team founded The PAR-teee, a free family festival for Par Bay, and since Covid, through ‘The Emergent Ensemble’ they have trained up ten early career artists.
More information about the project can be found here: https://ciosgoodgrowth.com/project/the-creation-works/
PHOTO CREDITS
IMAGE: (C) Steve Tanner
YSKYNNA: Aerialist: Ishita Raina, Rigging: David Greeves, Costume: Sean O’Donahue
DESCRIPTION: This image by Steve Tanner shows Yskynna Vertical Dance Co. exploring Hwel An Gwrians / The Creation Works. The steel frame for the studio was designed to incorporate aerial rigging with insights from Yskynna’s director David Greeves. The photo shoot was conducted by experts under controlled conditions and with full safety measures in place.