Press releases

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Donates over £3.5 million To Arts Educational Schools, London

08 Nov 2011

Today (8 November), The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation announces that it will be giving £3,544,200 to Arts Educational Schools, London (ArtsEd) to fund a major refurbishment project.  The money will be spent on improving four key areas:  the main theatre, costume storage, the School of Film and Television and the school’s disabled facilities.  The aim of the refurbishment project is to modernise current facilities in order for the school to continue providing the highest calibre of training possible. This donation will cover all estimated building costs, surveys, statutory applications, professional fees and VAT.  Building work is planned to commence in 2012. 

The main theatre will be transformed into a state-of-the-art 21st century theatre that will bridge the gap between the School’s teaching and the reality of the West End stage.  The donation will fund a complete overhaul of the auditorium, a more flexible and increased stage space, new control room, rehearsal studios and a new ventilation system.

There are currently no costume storage facilities at the school and the wardrobe team use a make-shift space in the circle level of the main theatre as their work and storage area.  The donation will fund the conversion of the school’s roof space into a costume storage facility complete with lift access.

The School of Film and Television at ArtsEd, which is the first in Britain to offer a BA (Hons) in Acting for film and television, will receive new soundproof studios, editing rooms and communal spaces for students.

ArtsEd prides itself in offering training to a diverse range of students, including those with disabilities.  However, due to lack of funding, the facilities for disabled students has been limited.  Part of the refurbishment project will be to install lifts to all levels, provide disabled WC facilities and make adjustments to the stage and auditorium to make the entire school fully accessible.

Andrew Lloyd Webber says:  “I am delighted the Foundation is able to make such a substantial donation to fund the refurbishment of the Arts Educational Schools; the new facilities will provide an ideal environment for the students to take advantage of the exemplary training the School is renowned for.  I have been a supporter of Arts Educational Schools for many years and I am very excited that the Foundation can make a real difference to the students who will be future stars of stage and screen.”

Jane Harrison, Principal of the Arts Educational Schools London (ArtsEd), says:  “We are obviously delighted to receive this grant from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the process.  This award is a powerful endorsement of the quality of our training.  It will enable us to invest in the fabric of our building, and bring our facilities up to the same high standard as our teaching for both current and future students.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation awards ten musical theatre scholarships per year for students to attend one of nine performing arts training institutions in the UK, which includes Arts Educational School London.  The scholarships cover the fees for the duration of the student’s course for up to three years. 

Arts Educational Schools London offers the best undergraduate musical theatre and acting for film and television training in the UK.  Its pupils school provides an arts-based education for 11-18 year olds which combines vocational training with academic success and the school also runs an extensive programme of part-time courses for all ages. ArtsEd alumni include: Catherine Zeta Jones, Jane Seymour, Julie Andrews, Nicolette Sheridan, Cherie Lunghi, Martin Clunes, Nigel Harman, Will Young, Nigel Havers and many more.

For all media enquiries related to Arts Educational Schools London please contact: Julie Taylor
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
0208 987 6625

For all media enquiries related to The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation please contact:
James Harvey at Brown Lloyd James
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
0207 591 9610

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