WORK will start next month following the announcement that a Bradford arts centre has received an additional £2.5 million in funding for an ambitious building programme.

It was announced today that Grade II listed Kala Sangam, on Forster Court, Bradford, has been awarded £2,291,947 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and £250,000 from The Garfield Weston Foundation to support the company’s capital plans.

This investment comes with the charity having already secured £4,998,500 for the redevelopment from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s Cultural Development Fund in March 2023, alongside £200,000 of investment from Bradford Council, and means the project is now able to move forward to construction.

Having closed to the public in December 2023, Kala Sangam expects building work to begin on site in February 2024.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Kala Sangam's listed headquarters, St Peter's HouseKala Sangam's listed headquarters, St Peter's House (Image: T&A)

The redevelopment will transform the company’s arts centre, creating a new 200-seat theatre space, with Heritage Fund support contributing to the creation of five new studios and a new home for Bradford Community Broadcasting.

A new entrance, two new lifts, Changing Places facility, foyer and central staircase will ensure the building is accessible to all when it reopens, as Bradford Arts Centre, during Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture in 2025.

Alex Croft, Creative Director of Kala Sangam, said: ‘We have been on a two-year journey with the Heritage Fund through the project’s development phase that has seen heritage become embedded in our thinking, ways of working and the very fabric of our building.

“Thanks to their multi-million-pound investment, we can ensure the future for our landmark, heritage building, and engage our local communities to guarantee who we are, and what we do, is relevant to them.

“The funding we have received from The Garfield Weston Foundation is the final, critical piece of the jigsaw that we needed to be able to move forward with this transformational project.”

Helen Featherstone, Director of England North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “This transformational project will reshape the Grade II Listed heritage building into an accessible and welcoming venue for all, and work with local communities to explore and celebrate their own heritage stories.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: How the interior of Kala Sangam would lookHow the interior of Kala Sangam would look (Image: UGC)

During the redevelopment, Kala Sangam will be based at Bank House in central Bradford.

This temporary home will house two studio spaces, allowing the company to continue support for artists in the run up to Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture, and a range of spaces available to hire for meetings, events and conferences from February.

The company will also present an 18-month programme of performances at venues across the Bradford district – starting with Kerry Wright’s landmark new play Kailey from January 30 at Keighley Creative. Tickets are available now at kalasangam.org/home/box-office/.