Future looks bright at Arena

By Colin Serjent

The Arena Gallery, based at Arena Studios in Duke Street, Liverpool, who held their inaugural exhibition at the end of 2003, have received a major boost on two fronts.

After experiencing doubts about their future, they are about to sign a ten-year lease on the building.

"Our transitional phase is over and this development will allow us more control in what we want to achieve," said gallery curator Paul Luckraft, "and provide us with more scope to enable Arena to develop and stage more exhibitions."

They have also had further good news with the award of funding from the Arts Council "which is very encouraging for the future development of the gallery," added Luckraft.

They are also applying for additional financial support from the Lottery Fund and the PH Hoult Trust.

They are also staging three shows during the 2004 Liverpool Arts Biennial - ROW (The Riposte) (18 September - 9 October); New Graduates 2004 (16-30 October); and 'Bracket This' Fiction/Mercy residency (6-27 November). The latter event will include ten nights of poetry and music.