Derby College has announced that work is due to start imminently on a new £3.1 million extension to the Joseph Wright Centre campus in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter.
The four storey 1200 sq metre extension will bring all the Creative Arts faculty under one roof which are currently based at JWC and the nearby Roundhouse campus on Pride Park. This will increase capacity for the future planned expansion of facilities for Engineering students at the Roundhouse due to increased demand for courses.
Work is due to be completed by Christmas 2014 – providing state of the art facilities for A level and vocational learners, including specialist art studios as well as equipment for the existing print making, photography, ceramics, 3D design and textiles courses and for future courses including product design.
This is in addition to the current art and design studios as well as Creative Arts faculty facilities for students in performing arts, dance, games development, music and media which are already based at JWC.
The College currently has 300 creative arts students who work alongside the 950 A level students at the Joseph Wright Centre. The campus was the College’s first major capital build project in September 2005 was then expanded in 2008 due to high demand for courses.
Funding for the extension has come from a £1 million Skills Funding Agency (SFA) grant with the remainder from the sale of land at the former site in Prince Charles Avenue, Mackworth.
Head of Faculty Kate Martin explained: “The extension at the Joseph Wright Centre is in response to the continued increase in numbers of A level and BTEC vocational learners wanting to develop their skills in the creative arts.
“Bringing everyone under one roof enables us to better share resources and expertise amongst staff and provide the best possible learner experience for our students.
“We were also keen to bring all our Creative Arts students into the Cathedral Quarter which is the cultural and creative industry heart of the city and therefore a perfect environment for this faculty.
“This will enable all students to engage fully with the surrounding Arts facilities, organisations and creative businesses to gain an insight into how the skills they are learning at College need to be adapted for the workplace and with the University of Derby to prepare students for higher education.”
Source: Derby College
