Altrincham-based arts and heritage centre, Art With a Heart, is putting down permanent roots in a new location on Stamford New Road after occupying a series of vacant units since 2012.
The charity-run centre, founded by artist and project manager Karen Wroe, is committed to attracting visitors to the town and increasing their dwell time, so the venue opposite Altrincham Interchange was chosen not only for sustainability, but also for optimum visibility.
Starting as a one-month pop-up art gallery on Shaw’s Road, Art With a Heart has evolved over time to become an award-winning attraction with ‘Independent Museum’ status, drawing 15,000 visitors in 2015 alone through a carefully planned year-round programme of events, workshops and exhibitions.
Last year, Art With a Heart’s diverse pool of volunteers delivered 15 exhibitions, 10 outreach projects and seven workshops, putting in 6,875 hours of work.
One of the charity’s main aims is to develop young peoples’ skills in particular, helping them build up a broad range of employable qualities. Using tasks which include curating, archiving and marketing, volunteers grow in confidence, improve their communications skills, learn to self-motivate and also work effectively as part of a team.
During the last four years, Art With a Heart has become a charity with three trustees, moving from Shaw’s Road to Norman’s Place in 2013 and then George Street in 2014. Collaboration has been at the heart of its success, building positive relationships with community organisations and businesses.
Wroe said: “We are delighted to be relocating next door to Fab Lab Altrincham and plan to be working closely together on future projects. It has been our dream to become a permanent tourist attraction in the region.
“We are grateful to all those who have supported us so far. We will reopen by the end of April or hopefully earlier if volunteers rally to the cause. It seems such a long time ago that we set up as a temporary pop-up. So much has been achieved since. Visitor numbers alone justify the benefits we bring to the town.”
Art With a Heart received a Commendation from Town Alive in 2013 to recognise its contribution to regeneration. In the same year, it was voted Runner Up Tourist Attraction in the Altrincham & Sale Chamber of Commerce Awards.
In 2014 and 2015, it contributed significantly to the Gold Awards won by Altrincham at the North West In Bloom awards, and in 2015 it received a Special Commendation from North West In Bloom for its artistic contribution to the town’s environment.
Art With a Heart is funded solely through sponsorship, donations and project grants. It is also supported by the new venue’s landlord, the Stamford Quarter Shopping Centre.
