Art charity 'closure risk' due to regeneration work

MakerWorld offers free art projects for children in West Yorkshire

A children's arts project says it is at risk of closure after it was told to move out of its home to allow for regeneration works.

The Children's Arts School offers drop-in art sessions in Huddersfield and Dewsbury and has been based in Huddersfield's Piazza Centre since 2020.

Founder Chloe Williams said MakerWorld – the charity's free offering – has reached more than 2,500 children over the summer holidays, but the project could end if it fails to find a suitable new space by March 2026.

A spokesperson for Kirklees Council, which plans to demolish the Piazza Centre as part of its Our Cultural Heart development, said it was working with the group to find a new home.

Ms Williams said: "It's a funny situation because they're building a cultural heart, and we are in the cultural heart, but we're going to get moved on

"There is lots of conversations going on and there is a desire to try and help us stay."

The Our Cultural Heart scheme involves the construction of a live music venue, food hall, museum and art gallery and new library on land in and around the Piazza Centre.

Prior to construction work starting the centre has been used by The Children's Arts School and other projects.

'Filling huge gap'

The council has provided the space rent-free, with organisations only paying for service charges and utility bills.

Ms Williams said: "The council has allowed us to have these spaces, but the council doesn't own most of the town.

"We're working with them to try and identify spaces that might work, but the reason why it has worked is because it's visible and on the high street."

The Children's Arts School was set up in 2015 and aims to offer inclusive and accessible art projects.

"It is filling a huge gap," she said.

"I started the children's art school because of that - at that point the focus was on the Olympics and after-school sports clubs and there wasn't any arts.

"It's not quite like that anymore, but the schools don't have time and if you want to do painting with a group of 30 kids in a carpeted classroom it's not easy to do."

Leader of Kirklees Council and Cabinet Member for Culture Carole Pattison said: "Temporary Contemporary has been a fantastic meanwhile use for these spaces on the piazza, tying in perfectly with our long-term ambitions for the area through Our Cultural Heart.

"Although this was by its nature a temporary arrangement, due to its success we are aware the Children's Art School is in search of new premises to continue its offering, and we're supporting them with this search.

"Once Our Cultural Heart comes to fruition onsite, we hope this area continues to thrive as a beating heart for culture in Kirklees for many years to come."

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