User:Barnsleycivic/The Civic, Barnsley

The Civic provides a contemporary, creative and cultural environment, offering a fantastic opportunity to access a broad and diverse selection of arts events and activities.

Throughout its 130 -year association with the town, the Civic has consistently evolved and changed to meet the needs of Barnsley and the people who live and work here. Originally opened as a public hall, the building has been home to almost every important institution within Barnsley. During its lifetime, the Civic has been used as the town’s college, library, and was even the venue for the screening of the first talking film in the town. But the building is perhaps best known as being the home of Barnsley’s Civic Theatre which, faced with dwindling audiences and vital maintenance and repairs, was forced to close its doors during the late 1990s.

In 2005 Barnsley Development Agency, with funding from Yorkshire Forward, Objective One and SRB6 drew up plans to convert the former Civic Theatre into a cultural and creative hub, right in the centre of Barnsley. Now accessed through the new entrance on Hanson Street, below the Barnsley Clock, visitors ascend a magnificent staircase which dramatically spans 3 floors in a single flight. The stonework and striking windows create a contemporary space whilst retaining the beauty of the original building. Offering a brand new performance space, the Assembly Room is a highly flexible environment that can be used to support almost any type of entertainment or event. Adjacent to the Assembly Room is the Panorama. With stunning views over Mandela Gardens and the borough beyond, the Panorama can host smaller more intimate events and is the perfect place to meet, relax and enjoy activities at The Civic. Within the Creative Design Extension, a contemporary addition to the old building, is The Gallery@ a contemporary exhibition space, meeting rooms and 10 Creative Workspaces, designed to be a home for Barnsley’s up and coming artistic and cultural industries. The workspaces, are suitable for a range of creative businesses, offering various opportunities for joined up working with likeminded organisations.

The Civic programme provides events to suit the tastes of the most discerning patron, so whether visiting the Gallery@ to view the exhibitions, the Assembly Room to experience contemporary drama, dance, comedy or the brightly coloured extravaganzas of music, puppetry and special effects the family performances offer, The Civic provides a chance to immerse yourself in the Arts.