Salisbury Arts Centre

The festival programme asked visitors to suggest ideas for the use of the building – which had been declared redundant earlier that year[3] – and in 1975 the church's committee agreed to grant use as an arts venue.

[4] St Edmunds Arts Trust[5] was established and a group of volunteers coordinated exhibitions from local artists, and workshops for various crafts.

Between 1979 and 1981, Sir Henry Moore loaned his Reclining Figure (Time Life 1953) to the Centre, where it was positioned outside the main entrance.

[13] It works with various community groups[14] and provides free events, including the annual Family Fiesta[15] and the regular Live Lunches.

[16] The Arts Centre supports a number of resident artists, including ceramicist Mirka Golden-Hann, who studies colour and glaze technology.

A number of entertainers have performed at Salisbury Arts Centre early in their careers; for example the Manic Street Preachers played in November 1990.

[21][22] A collegiate church on this site was founded in 1269 by Bishop de la Wyle[4] and dedicated to Saint Edmund of Abingdon, the former Archbishop of Canterbury who had been canonised in 1246.