Worcester Arts Workshop will close for good at the end of September, having fallen victim to the impact of Covid-19 which has made much of its work "impossible and uneconomic to continue." The 40-year-old organisation is based in city centre premises which need investment to become physically inclusive and environmentally sound and trustees believe "the pandemic and its aftermath will change the economic outlook of the country for a decade. Trusts and Foundations will (rightly) be working to support people, not refurbishing buildings." In a statement announcing the closure they said: "For some time the Board has been concerned that building running costs have meant that energy and time has had to go into generating income in-house, rather than going out to work in schools, community centres etc. This has limited our reach and impact." The lease will be handed back to the owners, Worcestershire County Council.
The creative hub has received emergency funding during lockdown, enabling online classes and projects to continue with funding from ACE, Worcester City Council and Severn Arts - focusing on children’s creativity in lockdown, digital classes and working with artists of colour through its Black Lives Matter project. Refunds have been made in full to hirers and students, and all other payments settled before closing permanently by the end of the month.