Scarborough's Crescent Arts Secures £70,000 for New High Street Creative Hub

Crescent Arts has been awarded £70,000 to transform a vacant shop on Falsgrave Road in Scarborough into a vibrant new arts and community space.

Crescent Arts, an arts charity based in Scarborough that was established in 1979, has successfully secured a significant funding boost of £70,000.

The financial injection has been awarded from the Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Fund, which is delivered by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority as part of the Mayoral Investment Fund.

This funding will be used to completely transform a currently vacant shop unit located in the Falsgrave Road area of Scarborough.

The aim of the initiative is to convert the disused retail space into a brand new, dedicated arts and community space for the residents of Scarborough and visitors to the town.

The project is officially titled "Crescent Arts on Tour" and has received the backing and support of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Once established, the newly created arts space will deliver a comprehensive, year-round programme of varied activities to the Falsgrave area.

The planned schedule of events will offer a wide array of cultural experiences, including art exhibitions, creative workshops, and film screenings.

In addition to these activities, the venue will also host artists’ talks and various community events specifically aimed at engaging both young people and older residents in the area.

Furthermore, Crescent Arts, working alongside its partners, intends to deliver an extensive touring programme across multiple venues throughout Scarborough town.

This touring aspect of the project will enable the organisation to successfully reach new audiences who might not otherwise engage with the arts.

It will also provide valuable opportunities to collaborate with local artists and businesses operating within the town.

A key objective of the touring programme and the new hub is to actively encourage more people to visit the Falsgrave Road area.

By taking a vacant shop and transforming it into a highly visible and active creative hub, the project is expected to make a significant contribution to the wider High Street regeneration efforts currently taking place in Scarborough.

The repurposing of a disused retail space for cultural and community activity is becoming increasingly recognised as an important and effective method to engage local residents.

Such initiatives are also seen as a vital way to support local businesses and to help create a much more vibrant and appealing High Street experience for everyone.

At present, the team at Crescent Arts is actively working to identify the most suitable space for their exciting new venture.

The organisation currently hopes to officially open the doors to the new Falsgrave Road facility in the autumn of this year.

The £70,000 funding package will be used to cover the costs of providing free and low-cost workshops and events for the community right through until December 2027.

Victoria Bissett, Director of Crescent Arts, said:

"We are delighted to have secured this funding, which will help us to establish a vibrant new cultural space right in the heart of Falsgrave. This funding means that we can run workshops led by local artists and arts organisations, organise pop-up exhibitions showcasing Scarborough artists, and collaborate with local businesses. Crescent Arts has been connecting artists and people in Scarborough since 1979, and this funding means that we can embed ourselves in an important and historic part of Scarborough town."

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:

"The Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Fund is supporting projects that help communities reimagine and revitalise local High Streets across York and North Yorkshire. Crescent Arts on Tour is a strong example of how culture, creativity and partnership working can bring new energy into town centres, support local pride, and create welcoming spaces for residents and visitors alike."

For those wishing to learn more about the project, Crescent Arts has invited the public to connect with them to find out more about their plans for the future.

The charity can be reached by telephone on 01723 384549 or via email at info@crescentarts.co.uk, while further information is also available on their official website.

All publicity for the project is being supported by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

Related Stories

• 
  Over £250,000 Awarded to Revitalise Scarborough and Whitby High Streets

  16 Apr 2026 - The funding will be used to support local businesses and inspire visitors to spend more time in the old town. Also in Scarborough, Crescent Arts ...