After a multi-million pound investment, Department – Ryde will open its doors on 13th March 2025, it has been announced.
Shademakers UK, a locally based international arts and carnival company, is leading the transformation of the historic department store, in partnership with architects TurnerWorks and Isle of Wight Council.
With ‘Art at its Heart’, this new cultural centre will transform creative opportunities for the local community on the Isle of Wight and offer new access in an area of deprivation for people to engage in creative and visual arts, theatre, digital and carnival activities.
Department is one of the Phase 2 DCMS Cultural Development Fund projects, and has the support of DCMS/Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, Architectural Heritage Fund and was initiated with the support of the Ryde High Street Action Zone.
Department – Ryde offers a new theatre space, performance and rehearsal areas, a foyer exhibition area, a café at the heart of the community, and artist workshop spaces for local professionals. Opening events will feature newly commissioned creative work highlighting the past history of the building.
In a project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Shademakers has commissioned local creatives to work alongside the core team to create new exhibitions. Local arts partners Stitch Department, Horse Box Theatre and Ryde Arts are interwoven into the fabric and plans for the new building and, along with Shademakers UK, will provide exceptional new opportunities for the whole community, and nurture the next generation of professional creative talent.
Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration, Culture and Leisure, Isle of Wight Council, says:
“I am so proud to see the transformation of this building into the new Department project in Ryde. Culture-led regeneration is a crucial part of the Isle of Wight Council’s corporate strategy, aiming to revitalize our high street and enhance community engagement.”
Article continues below this advertisement “We are immensely grateful for Arts Council England’s investment in the Isle of Wight, fulfilling a community need and showing their belief in us. The creative team at Shademakers has shown remarkable vision and capability in driving this project forward.”
I miss the old store, but it is great to see these buildings
being used, especially in the tough economic conditions.
Good luck
Merry Christmas
‘this new cultural centre will transform creative opportunities for the local community’
Well, it’s nice for those who engage in the arts (I’m presuming they get this venue for free?), but ‘transforming creative opportunities for the local community’? I doubt if it will make much difference to the average Ryde resident.
But, if nothing else, it’s an empty shop being put to some use.
More tax payers money wasted on Posh Lovies
What do you base that on? What’s ‘posh’ got to do with anyone liking culture or creative projects. Who knows? You may even learn how to spell luvvies there
So, I have to ask, where is the building?
Back last century it was Pack and Cullifords, it’s in cross street behind the bus stop a couple of doors from the Nationwide building society.
Its a shame the Ryde town hall wasn’t used instead as it has theatre space and much more.