Wide Open is a new cultural programme for Paignton, creating opportunities for people to be part of dreaming up, making and experiencing great creative and cultural activities where they live.
Wide Open is part of a major capital programme centred on Paignton Picture House made possible by the Cultural Development Fund. It will see the successful reopening of the historic grade II* listed landmark in 2025, one of the earliest purpose-built cinemas in Europe.
From January 2023 to March 2025, Wide Open is growing our cultural landscape for the long term, building connections between Paignton’s local heritage, culture, and the people who live here. The programme includes activities and events, alongside skills development, pathways into work and leadership development.
What’s happening?
We’re working with two new spaces in Paignton - The Projection Room and The Liberal Club. Each month, a different theme will inspire: events & activities for people to see and make creative work together; an monthly artist residency programme, welcoming visual artists, performers, storytellers and more. You can pop into the Projection Room from June onwards to find out more about developments at Paignton Picture House and how to get involved in cultural activities in the area.
This is all part of trying to grow places for culture in Paignton, adding to a rich array of different activities and events for different people, of different ages, interests and backgrounds. This includes working together to promote activities and events led by local venues and partners across Paignton throughout the year.
Growing opportunities long term
Alongside this, our local partnership is working on creative & cultural pathways to create more and better opportunities for early career professionals to sustain careers in our area long-term.
We’ll be sharing our progress on pathways development later in the year. Check on our opportunities page to see current call outs as part of Wide Open here.
Wide Open is being coordinated by Filament Works, involving local culture and heritage organisations, including: Doorstep Arts; Paignton Library; Palace Theatre; Sound Communities; Tonic Creatives; and Artizan Collective. Our approach is to build on Paignton’s strengths, working collectively to galvanise the energy, passion and knowledge of those living and working in the Town Centre.
Alongside this, a digital engagement programme is being coordinated by South Devon College working with Sound Communities to create digital stories about Paignton and Torbay’s heritage.
Torbay’s Cultural Development - Paignton Picture House is a collaboration between Torbay Council, Paignton Picture House Trust, Torbay Culture, South Devon College and the Agatha Christie Festival Limited. It is supported by the Cultural Development Fund (CDF), the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) fund, administered by Arts Council England.
In partnership with
Supported by
