Plans revealed for £4.7 million major transformation in Northampton’s Cultural Quarter, opening late next year

The project builds on the wider vision to make the area a vibrant, innovative public space for culture and creativity
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Today (November 24), plans have been revealed for a major new creative centre in the heart of Northampton’s Cultural Quarter.

The £4.7 million project, which is about to enter its second stage of works, will see the five-storey redundant heritage building in Guildhall Road transformed into a vibrant community – with a contemporary art gallery, affordable creative studios, and public spaces.

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With a phased opening planned for late 2023 or early 2024, the 2,000 square metre Georgian building will become the new home for founding partner NN Contemporary Art.

The phased opening is planned for late 2023 or early 2024.The phased opening is planned for late 2023 or early 2024.
The phased opening is planned for late 2023 or early 2024.

Councillor Daniel Lister, cabinet member for economic development, town centre regeneration and growth at West Northamptonshire Council, said: “We are delighted to be entering our second phase of work to deliver this ambitious project.

“Once open, it will offer a unique cultural hub in the heart of the Cultural Quarter, complementing the ongoing redevelopment of this part of town.

“We have all combined our vision to regenerate this central building and offer a space for artists and entrepreneurs across our county and beyond.”

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NN Contemporary Art, an independent art space, will take over the lower three floors, opening a free public gallery showcasing the very best of international contemporary art.

The £4.7 million project will see the five-storey redundant heritage building in Guildhall Road transformed into a vibrant community.The £4.7 million project will see the five-storey redundant heritage building in Guildhall Road transformed into a vibrant community.
The £4.7 million project will see the five-storey redundant heritage building in Guildhall Road transformed into a vibrant community.

With a focus on nurturing the town’s creative ecosystem, the floors will also contain 20 creative workspaces and studios, which will enable hundreds of artists and creators to grow and develop their practice in the town.

Designed to become a major creative hub for Northampton and the wider East Midlands region, the fully-accessible building will also incorporate community and event spaces – including an arts library, retail space and multimedia lab. Further tenants will be invited to lease the upper two floors.

NN Contemporary Art’s CEO and artistic director Emer Grant said: “We aim to bring a new kind of cultural institution to Northamptonshire. Our approach throughout has tried to expand the terms of collaboration, as it is integral to the design of the public realm.

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“The completion will bring exciting benefits to our local community and recognises the pivotal role of contemporary art in shaping extraordinary places.”

There will be 20 creative workspaces and studios, which will enable hundreds of artists and creators to grow and develop their practice in the town.There will be 20 creative workspaces and studios, which will enable hundreds of artists and creators to grow and develop their practice in the town.
There will be 20 creative workspaces and studios, which will enable hundreds of artists and creators to grow and develop their practice in the town.

The team includes Northamptonshire’s PHP Architects, CS2 Chartered Surveyors, and artist and architect Sean Griffiths, who will all take inspiration from the building’s original 1920s design.

This project is supported by the Government’s Towns Fund and is part of the ‘Northampton Town Centre Masterplan’.

In advance of the opening, NN Contemporary Art, in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council, has launched ‘Sensing Place’ – an ambitious programme of events and wider commissions that bring communities together with artists, academics and researchers to explore important conversations around cultural and artistic placemaking.

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This began yesterday (November 23) and will continue until tomorrow (November 25), and a wider programme will then take place around the Market Square in early 2023.

NN Contemporary Art will take over the lower three floors, opening a free public gallery showcasing the very best of international contemporary art.NN Contemporary Art will take over the lower three floors, opening a free public gallery showcasing the very best of international contemporary art.
NN Contemporary Art will take over the lower three floors, opening a free public gallery showcasing the very best of international contemporary art.

With neighbours including Royal & Derngate and the newly refurbished Museum and Art Gallery, the project builds on the wider vision to make the area a vibrant, innovative public space for culture and creativity.