Warwick Arts Centre

Warwick Arts Centre is situated at the University of Warwick in Coventry and is one of the largest single arts centres in the UK. Warwick University commissioned the building of an arts centre in 1970 and it opened in October 1974. Designed by architects Renton, Howard, Wood Associates, the building won a RIBA award. The original centre included a Theatre (573 seats), a Studio Theatre (150 seats), a Conference Room (250 seats), a Music Centre with an Ensemble Room (100 seats) and 9 practice rooms, as well as a bookshop, bars, workshop, dressing rooms and office space. Butterworth Hall, a flexible concert hall seating up to 1500, was added to the complex in 1981 and in 1986, further expansion included the construction of the Mead Gallery, which provided 6000 square feet of exhibition space, a cinema seating 225, a new bookshop and restaurant area. In 1997, the Arts Centre was renovated, which included installing a new glass atrium roof in the foyer and lift access to the upper floors. In 2009, the redevelopment of The Butterworth Hall saw increased benefits for both performer and audience, with improved acoustics, new seating and furnishing, enhanced stage and backstage space. This also included a creative learning block providing an education suite and further rehearsal space.