The venue hosts a varied programme of entertainment all year round, made up of both professional and amateur productions.

The current Swindon Arts Centre was opened officially on Saturday 1 September 1956 by the mayor, N V Toze and Llewelyn Wyn Griffith, vice-chairman of the Arts Council of Great Britain.

The ground floor was completely redesigned to create a new performance studio, bar and cafe, and the refurbishment also made room for the Swindon Old Town public library to relocate into the building.

In November 2010, television personality Richard Digance became the first Patron of the venue.

Pam Ayres is the Patron of the Friends of Swindon Arts Centre.