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Chichester has a long tradition of supporting the arts, with its
Assembly Room and a purpose built theatre in South Street, now used
as a restaurant, both dating from the end of the eighteenth century.
Today, there are many societies devoted to music, painting and literature.
The City also has its amateur societies for drama and opera as well
as the City Band and the Orchestral Society. Details of all these
may be obtained from the Central Library in Tower Street. Tel: 01243
777351
 Chichester
Festival Theatre The story of the creation of the
Chichester Festival Theatre is an extraordinary one of local initiative
and enthusiasm. It opened its doors on the 5th July, 1962 with Sir
Laurence Olivier as Artistic Director. Since that time it has gained
an international reputation, although the journey has not been without
its travails. Currently the main programme runs from May to September,
with visiting productions during the winter months. The major productions
in the main theatre are supplemented with more experimental productions
in the smaller Minerva Theatre, a later addition. An important part
of their activities is an extensive youth programme, which runs
throughout the year and has two main productions a year, summer
and Christmas. These are events of the highest standards both in
acting, (formal auditions are held) and in productions, of a quality
equal to the main events.
Chichester Festival Theatre, Oaklands Park, Chichester, PO19 6AP
www.cft.org.uk Tel: 01243 781312
New Park Community and Art Centre
Housed in a former Victorian school the New Park Centre is a charitable
organisation run by the community. The centre plays host to over
thirty different voluntary organisations and supports a wide variety
of activities from judo to amateur dramatics. It houses a bar and
lounge and has a programme of development based largely on voluntary
support.
New Park Community and Art Centre, New Park Road, Chichester. PO19
7XY
www.newparkcentre.org.uk Tel: 01243 776633
Pallant House Gallery
With the completion of its new extension in 2006, the Pallant House
Gallery is the major gallery of modern British art in the South.
Based originally on the collection of Walter Hussey, Dean of Chichester,
the collection has been extended to include the Charles Kearley
bequest and gifts from Professor Sir Colin St. John Wilson as well
as many individual donations and loans.
The new facilities include an art reference library, a studio for
workshops, conservation and artists in residence. The Gallery Bookshop
focuses on modern British art, but also works with artists to commission
prints and multiples. The restaurant leads to a courtyard garden
designed by Christopher Bradley-Hole.
The gallery has an extensive exhibition programme and runs themed
tours as well as talks and events. It has a developing education
and outreach programme.
Pallant House Gallery, 9 North Pallant Chichester, PO19 1TJ
www.pallant.org.uk Tel: 01243 774557
The Cinema in the Park
This is a major activity within the New Park Centre and offers a
programme of four showings a day throughout the year of a wide variety
of films including art and foreign productions. It is managed professionally
but staffed by volunteers.
New Park Centre, New Park Road, Chichester, PO19 7XY
www.chichestercinema.org.uk Tel: 01243 786650
Oxmarket Centre of Arts
In 1976 the Oxmarket Centre of Arts was established in the redundant
bomb-damaged medieval church of St. Andrew-in-Oxmarket. Increasingly
it has become a showcase for artists.
The centre has six exhibition spaces for paintings, sculpture, ceramics,
jewellery and other decorative and applied arts. There is a continually
changing programme of exhibitions, recitals, and lectures. It also
plays host to occasional workshops. Admission is free.
Oxmarket Centre of Arts, St. Andrew’s Court, off East Street,
Chichester, PO19 1YH www.oxmarket.com Tel: 01243 779103
West Dean College and Gardens
Situated six miles north of Chichester, West Dean College is an
educational centre providing residential courses in art, craft,
music, conservation and restoration. The gardens are open to the
public and provide a panorama from kitchen gardens, walled gardens,
arboretum, to exotica. They also present a series of open days on
seasonal topics, e.g. apples, tomatoes and chilli peppers. A recent
addition is the Sussex Barn Gallery, which presents works by professional
artists and students of the college.
West Dean College, West Dean, Chichester, PO18 0QZ
www.westdean.org.uk Tel: 01243 811301
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