Oldham Cultural Quarter Development
The landscape of Oldham’s Union Street area has changed significantly over the past few years with the development of a dynamic and ambitious Cultural Quarter which provides modern arts, cultural and learning facilities for Oldham.
Gallery Oldham
The first phase of the Cultural Quarter – the award-winning Gallery Oldham – opened in February 2002.
The £9million Gallery was designed by architects Pringle Richards Sharratt and financed with support from ERDF. The building has won awards from the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Civic Trust.
Gallery Oldham has provided greatly improved facilities for the Gallery Service. The building houses an education suite, purpose built art store, an environmental control system and large vehicle loading bay (shared with Oldham's Library and Lifelong Learning Centre). There are three large gallery spaces in the new building and a fourth in the former Victorian library and gallery building, which is reached by a bridge link at 2nd floor level.
Oldham Library and Lifelong Learning Centre
The second phase of the Cultural Quarter– a stunning new Library and Lifelong Learning Centre – opened its doors to the public in April 2006.
The £13million building is joined onto Gallery Oldham with a shared reception area. Architects Pringle Richards Sharratt have made the most of striking views across the moors in their design which utilises modern building materials such as glass, concrete, metal and sedum roofing.
The project is financed by a Private Finance Initiative (PFI). The complete PFI is worth £21million and the buildings will be facilities managed by Kier Managed Services for 25 years, with direct input from Oldham Council. After this date this purpose built high quality building will be returned to the Council.
The Library is open 7 days a week and includes specialist Children’s and Teenage Libraries, a Homework Centre and extensive free computer facilities. The Talking Books Service has been extended and users now have a choice of over 3000 titles. Click here for further information about Library facilities in the new building.
As one of the North West’s largest Lifelong Learning Centres, the building has first class teaching accommodation, dedicated IT training suites and a Skills for Life (Maths and English) Centre. Specialist arts and crafts teaching rooms include a photographic dark room. Click here for further information about Lifelong Learning facilities
in the new building.
Other arts and culture in the Cultural Quarter
The developing Cultural Quarter is also home to Oldham Theatre Workshop, Oldham Arts Development and Asian theatre company Peshkar, who are all based in the former Victorian museum building.
Part of this building was refurbished in 2004 to create a new workshop and performance space for Oldham Theatre Workshop.
Oldham Local Studies and Archives is situated nearby in the old Post Office building on Union Street.