Latest news
UK Centre for Carnival Arts launches
The new £7.3m UK Centre for Carnival Arts (UKCCA) is now open in Luton, Bedfordshire, providing a base for UK and international performances and training.
The 1,402sq m building offers performance and rehearsal areas, teaching rooms, a bar and crèche, community facilities and a central courtyard linking the centre's two halves. Along with Luton's famed International Carnival, the centre is expected to contribute over £34m to the East of England's economy. It is expected to attract national and international visitors, from artists and creative entrepreneurs to school children and the local community. Barbara Follett, minister for culture, architecture and East of England, said: "The UK Centre for Carnival Arts has created a beacon of cultural excellence in one of the East of England's most disadvantaged towns. The centre will allow people of all ages and backgrounds to learn new creative and expressive skills; ones which will enable them to make an invaluable contribution to the both cultural wealth and the future workforce of our region."
Paul Anderson, the chief executive of the UKCCA, said: "This has been more than six years in the making and we are delighted that our vision inspired by carnival communities to create a national centre for carnival arts has today become a reality in the heart of Luton. "This is an important landmark that will help change perceptions of our art form, celebrate and honour the traditions of truly amazing people and artists, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come."
The development was funded by the East of England Development Agency, Arts Council England, East, GO-East, the European Regional Development Fund and Luton Borough Council.