We're fighting to keep vital arts hub running

COMMUNITY GROUP 'DEVASTATED' TO MISS OUT ON £28K GRANT

- By JAMIE GREER

A COMMUNITY is fearing for the future of a venue at risk of closing.

For the last four years, Smithdown Social Arts Hub has been a crucial space to support Scouse artists, musicians, writers and filmmakers.

Located on 455 Smithdown Road, there have been more than 35 exhibitions featuring hundreds of local artists since it opened, with many showing their work for the first time.

One of the most important functions is its art classes held every Wednesday for neurodiverse creatives. For nearly three years, the Autistic Spectrum Collective (ASC) has used the arts hub to run weekly art socials to reduce isolation and improve mental health for the artists.

In a time when services for people with autism are more stretched than ever, it's become a quasi-support group and social space, especially for those who suffered during the social isolation of Covid.

The hub has been supported since its inception through government funding. But after missing out on funding from Arts Council England last month, which would have given the hub £28,000, those who run the space are now fighting to keep the lights on.