Norwich, Norfolk -- (SBWire) -- 03/26/2012 --City College in Norwich have announced plans for a new 5.7million pound creative arts building. The planned building set to be constructed beginning September 2013 will be situated on the site of the former West Lodge accommodation block that was demolished last summer. 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.” The new creative arts building will support the college’s vision to deliver outstanding and innovative creative arts provision, with 3 floors built 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 upgrade was made possible by a generous grant provided by the ‘skills Funding Agency’ which will cover a third of the over all costs, a source from Morton Solutions has said “It is great to see the skills funding agency providing a helping hand and allowing city college this opportunity to have this fantastic building”

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. A source from Morton Solutions said “With this new building and also retaining the 250-seat theatre, we feel this will help to expand performing arts to a wider range of people around Norwich”

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’ In doing this students can gain the skills required by the creative industries that are an important contribution to the UK and the local economy, A source from Morton Solutions said this “This new building is not only good for the students of city college but also for the future generation, Performing arts appeals to a wide variety of people and having this building is a big boost for both the students and for the public”

http://www.heart.co.uk/norfolk/news/local/norwich-expansion-plan-city-college/