Norwich: New Building for City College

2 March 2012, 11:15 | Updated: 2 March 2012, 11:55

City College in Norwich has announced plans for a new 5.7 million pound building.

The college has unveiled plans for a special creative arts building from September 2013. 

The planned new building will be sited at the Southern end of the College's main Ipswich Road campus, on the site of the former West Lodge accommodation block that was demolished last summer. 

The new creative arts building will support the College's vision to deliver outstanding and innovative creative arts provision, with 3 purpose-built floors for: 

  • Performing arts rehearsal spaces, for dance, acting, and musical theatre.
  • The digital arts, including interactive media, graphics, animation, media editing suites, a TV studio and music rehearsal and recording studios
  • Traditional art and design, fashion and textiles and cultural heritage/craft based programmes.

The College will retain its 250-seat theatre in the Norfolk Building, which is soon to be re-launched under the new name of 'Platform'.  This will remain as the venue for public performances of music, dance, acting and musical theatre shows. 

This upgrade to the College's creative arts facilities has been made possible thanks to a grant from the Skills Funding Agency for one third of the overall cost, with the plans impressing in a competitive bidding process involving over 200 project bids nationally. 

Dick Palmer, Principal, City College Norwich, said: 'The College is committed to providing 21st Century learning environments for all of our students and this exciting new building will enable us to provide all of our creative arts students with the facilities they need in one place.  This new facility will further enhance the reputation of Norwich as a centre of excellence for creative and cultural skills training, including the College's status as the East of England hub of the National Skills Academy in Creative and Cultural Skills.' 

Jo Pretty, Head of School of Creative & Business Industries, said: 'This new building will provide an inspirational space for the development of creative talent in a much broader way, building on our strengths in developing students? skills whilst promoting greater interdisciplinary collaboration across course disciplines.  This will help students develop the flexible skills and good working practices demanded by the creative industries which make an important contribution to the UK and local economy.'

 

 

City College Plan