Chichester City Arts Centre

The Chichester City Arts Centre is an arts and community hire venue close to the city centre. Set in the former church of St Bartholomew’s, a 200-year-old late Georgian grade II listed building, the Centre has a Main Hall, a Reception area in the old Vestry, a disabled toilet, a small kitchen and a shower/toilet. Upstairs there is a small gallery complete with the original church organ.

The Centre is also the home of the Rosemary Bell Academy of Dance, a Royal Academy of Dance registered ballet school.

Outside, there is disabled parking, a lawn in the old graveyard and an enclosed rear area also part of the graveyard. There have been no burials since 1860 and all headstones have been placed against boundary walls.

Basic information:
The Main Hall is approx. 42′ x 28′ (13m x 8.5m). It is accessed for regular bookings via the original oak Reception door to the LHS of the building. This is a pleasant waiting area with casual seating, an original fireplace and the Reception counter where light refreshments may be served. The Main Hall is through the further original oak door. There is an office/store at the east end of the Hall and a balcony at the west end housing the original church organ.

For special events, guests can enter through the Main Doors at the west end of the building through the tiled entrance lobby past the kitchen and disabled facilities and enter the Main Hall through a further set of double doors. The church was built in 1832 and extended in 1930 by the distinguished graphic artist, MacDonald Gill, who painted the unique barrelled ceiling above the Office.

The building has been extensively refurbished in 2022 to provide modern disabled and fire safety facilities with disabled parking at the front of the building off Mount Lane.

The overall capacity of the Main Hall is 120 in a variety of configurations.

This venue is suitable for the following occasions:
• Party • Reunion • Anniversary • Training • Children’s Party • Local Community Meeting • Societies and Clubs • Music Event • Theatre Production • Band Practise • Baby Groups • Fitness Classes / Yoga • Educational Pursuits • Church Event / Choir Practice • School Events • Dog Training • Film Shoots • Corporate Events • Dance Classes

Facilities:
• Main Hall • Entrance • Kitchen • Accessible Toilets • Baby Changing Facilities • Shower • Wheelchair Access • Broadband Internet • Wifi • Outside Space • Mirrored Hall for Dance Equipment • Urn • Fridge • Kettle • Cooker • Microwave • Washing Machine • Tumble Dryer

Availability:
The Centre is open from 0800 to 2200 except Sundays and Bank Holidays when the Centre closes at 2030.

Hire costs:
Hourly hire £20, other events POA. Please note the hourly rate will be increased during 2026 to £TBA.