Blackburn’s Bureau Centre for the Arts – which was nearly destroyed by fire this year – are calling on the public’s help after being shortlisted for a National Arts award.
The Epic Awards, set up in 2010 by Voluntary Arts, work across the UK and Ireland to promote participation in creative cultural activities.
The Bureau is nominated for the England award, as well as being part of the public vote for the People’s Choice Award, voted for by the public. The winners will be announced at Edinburgh’s Central Hall on Thursday 3rd October 2019.
For the last five years, the Bureau has been run by local volunteers out of St John’s Church, providing a space for the community to get involved with diverse, creative events and activities such as the Blackburn Festival of Light. Members of the public are being urged to support the centre for the public vote.
On 3rd April 2019, the Bureau Centre for the Arts faced crisis when St John’s Church was destroyed by a fire. However, the directors and volunteers managed to overcome the challenges presented to them by restoring the opportunities provided to the community of Blackburn. They worked tirelessly to keep the ethos of the Bureau alive, all while finding a new location for the arts centre.
Since then, The Bureau has moved into their new home in the former Thwaites’ Visitor and Training centre on Penny St, where it has continued to provide a creative space for the people of Blackburn.
Kerris Casey-St Pierre, spokesperson for the Bureau, said: “The Bureau is more than an arts centre. As well as providing opportunities for people of all ages to experience and make art in all its forms, we’ve become a hub in the town, providing a safe space for people to learn, grow and belong.”
Voting for the Epic Awards closes at 5pm on Monday 2 September. The winners will be announced on Thursday 3rd October 2019 at Edinburgh Central Hall. To vote visit www.voluntaryarts.org/Pages/Site/epic-awards/Category/epic-awards-shortlist
