Community Art Space Takes Shape in Belfast's Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park

Strategic Insights -

A historic listed home in Belfast's Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park is one step closer to becoming a community art space, thanks to a £83,270 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Golden Thread Gallery and Belfast City Council have partnered to undertake a feasibility study, exploring the viability of turning Wilmont House, a Grade B+ property, into a cultural venue that celebrates its built, cultural, and environmental heritage. The study will assess whether the house is an appropriate home for the gallery's collection of Northern Irish art and the city's first Visual Arts Research Library and Archive.

Key Takeaways:

  • Golden Thread Gallery has secured £83,270 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to undertake a feasibility study, exploring the viability of turning Wilmont House into a community art space.
  • The study aims to assess the property's condition and explore its potential as a cultural venue, creating a unique experience for visitors through sculpture trails, art activities, exhibitions, and reading rooms.
  • Belfast City Council is carrying out a condition assessment of the property, and a consultation among park users and community groups is planned for the summer.
  • The findings from both the feasibility study and the condition assessment will be brought before councillors to decide how to progress any future works, including exploring a range of funding options.
  • Peter Richards and Sarah McAvera, co-Directors of Golden Thread Gallery, expressed their enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the potential for Wilmont House to become a hub for art, culture, and the environment.
  • Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, emphasized that this is just the first step in a lengthy process, but a moment worth marking.
  • Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, stressed the importance of finding a sustainable future for Wilmont House and strengthening heritage to be adaptive, financially resilient, and contribute to communities and economies.

Statistics:

  • £83,270: The amount of funding secured by Golden Thread Gallery from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the feasibility study.
  • Grade B+: The listed status of Wilmont House.
  • 2019: The year Golden Thread Gallery developed a collection of Northern Irish art and Northern Ireland's first Visual Arts Research Library and Archive.

Sources:

  • The National Lottery Heritage Fund
  • Belfast City Council
  • Golden Thread Gallery

Sources:

  • The redevelopment of Wilmont House into a community art space - (no date provided)
  • Golden Thread Gallery - (no date provided)
  • The National Lottery Heritage Fund - (no date provided)

Note: No external links or internal document references are available as sources, as the original text does not provide them.