DanceEast Development Plans
From londondance.com

DanceEast is taking on it’s biggest challenge yet as it launches a £5 million Capital Campaign to build the East of England’s first custom-built dance facilities on the Ipswich waterfront. Over the next three years Wharfside Regeneration will transform the site and DanceEast will be a key partner in the regeneration of the Ipswich waterfront and bringing cultural life to the area.

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<small>[ 24 February 2004, 02:23 AM: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]</small>

PRESS RELEASE

DANCEEAST RECEIVES £2.5 MILLION FOR NEW DANCEHOUSE ON IPSWICH DOCKS

Arts Council England has awarded DanceEast £2.5 million towards building a new Dancehouse at Cranfields Mill as part of the largest urban regeneration project in the east of England. Over the next three years Wharfside Regeneration working with the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) will transform Cranfields Mill into a mixed-use, innovative and multicultural site. DanceEast will play a key role in the regeneration of the waterfront by bringing new cultural activity to this area of the town.

The new £5.8 million DanceEast Dancehouse is the cultural cornerstone of the development and will provide the first custom-built dance facilities in the east of England including a 240-seat studio theatre with full production facilities as well as three additional dance studios, Pilates and therapy room, archive and resource library, learning and access room, green room, café and offices for DanceEast staff and resident and visiting dance companies.

Assis Carreiro, Director of DanceEast said “We’re delighted by this award from Arts Council England. It gives us the confidence to really move forward with our plans. It is no longer just a vision but a reality and we hope it gives confidence to our other funding partners to come on board and support a building that is very much for and about the communities of Ipswich, the east of England and beyond.”

The Cranfields Mill site was purchased by EEDA as part of its commitment to regenerate the Ipswich Waterfront. Wharfside Regeneration and John Lyall Architects were chosen following a national competition to find the developer and architect with the most creative and innovative proposals for redeveloping the mill with an exciting mixed-use scheme. The ongoing regeneration of the waterfront is also a key aim for Ipswich Borough Council.

Congratulations to Assis and all the staff at DanceEast in winning this significant grant for a building which will have a real impact on dance in the area.

What a year for DanceEast: Rural Retreat Weekend, British Dance Edition 2004 and all the work required to win this grant. Phew!!