Syndicate: GOOD NEWS FROM FACT

[Geert Lovink <geert@xs4all.nl>]

From: fact@fact.co.uk

Press Release Issued 15 November 1999

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT

-THE FACT CENTRE-
A NEW CULTURAL BUILDING FOR THE
21st CENTURY IN THE HEART OF LIVERPOOL

Britain's principal electronic arts agency, the Foundation for Art &
Creative Technology (FACT), is delighted to announce an award of £4m from
the Arts Council of England with National Lottery funds to support the
building and development of the FACT Centre, a major new cultural project
of national significance based in Liverpool.

The FACT Centre is an arts project for the digital age.  In partnership
with City Screen, the UK's leading independent exhibitor for British and
European film, FACT is establishing a national centre for contemporary
moving image art and culture, combining access, education, research and
development, production and exhibition in one site.  More than five years
in the making, the project is unparalleled in its scope, scale and
ambition within the UK.

The FACT Centre will contain unrivalled facilities to support and develop
the production and exhibition of moving image culture.  It will include
two galleries, three cinema screens, 'The Box' - a unique flexible project
and events space, creative design labs, a community media lab for
generating collaborative projects and artworks, a media lounge, a bar and
café and 'STart' - a hothousing environment for creative new media
businesses.

A contemporary landmark building and the first brand-new cultural building
of the 21st Century for Liverpool, the FACT Centre is a key development in
the regeneration of the recently established Rope Walks area.  Elaine
McLean, Director of the Liverpool Rope Walks Partnership, says "The FACT
Centre is a flagship development and will make a major contribution to
regeneration in the area.  In anticipating future modes of cultural
provision and public participation, it also provides a new opportunity for
private investment, restoring confidence in the City and contributing to
its urban renewal in the long term."

The building itself will be a spectacular addition to the architectural
wealth of Liverpool.  A unique partnership between leading artist Clive
Gillman and award winning architect Austin-Smith:Lord has delivered an
outstanding piece of contemporary design which incorporates interactive
artworks within the building's structure.

Eddie Berg, Director of FACT states "The FACT Centre represents and
reflects Liverpool's renewed ambitions, aspirations and confidence as well
as providing a further boost to the 2008 Capital of Culture bid.
Furthermore, through FACT's partnership with private sector organisation
City Screen, it establishes a new model of cultural enterprise which will
reap outstanding rewards and benefits for artists, communities and
audiences.  The FACT Centre will produce and present the best in film,
video and digital media arts, harnessing local enterprise to global
influence.  The building itself will provide exemplary levels of access
together with the best range of skills, know-how and resources available
to the cultural sector in Britain.  It's a project that I think will help
define the cultural aspirations of Liverpool in the first decade of the
new century".

The £8.1m funding package for the FACT Centre comprises public and private
sector partnership, with funding secured from the Arts Council of England
with National Lottery funds, City Screen, Liverpool City Council, British
Film Institute, Liverpool Rope Walks Partnership and North West Arts
Board. The balance of funding is currently under appraisal by European
Regional Development Fund and English Partnerships.

For further information and images, please contact Jo Forrest or Alison
Edbury at FACT on tel: 0151 709 2663, fax: 0151 707 2150 or email:
press@fact.co.uk

Foundation for Art & Creative Technology (FACT) Bluecoat Chambers School
Lane Liverpool L1 3BX UK Tel: +44 (0)151 709 2663 Fax: +44 (0)151 707 2150

General and Marketing Enquiries
email: fact@fact.co.uk

Director Enquiries
email: berg@fact.co.uk

Moving Image Touring & Exhibition Service (MITES)
email: mites@fact.co.uk

Collaboration Programme Enquiries
email: cp@fact.co.uk

FACT CENTRE DEVELOPMENT Enquiries
email: centre@fact.co.uk


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