Carnegie Theatre and Arts Centre

The Carnegie Theatre, or The Carnegie, is a theatre and arts centre located in Workington, Cumbria, England. It occupies a Grade II listed building and is a registered charity (The Carnegie Theatre Trust). The Foundation Stone for the 'Carnegie Free Library & Lecture Hall' was laid by his Worship The Mayor, Alderman R E Highton on Thursday 10 September 1903. The building opened on Thursday 6 October 1904 following a Carnegie library donation of £7,500 from Andrew Carnegie, the millionaire Ironmaster and Scottish/American Industrialist and philanthropist. The lecture hall was used as a cinema from 1909 under a cinematograph license held by the librarian. The cinema was later let to Grave Cinemas Ltd. It was converted to a theatre after 1963. Following that long tradition of a building for the people, to this day a regular programme of music and dance events is enjoyed by local people and tourists. Classes and courses are held in the Carnegie every week with a variety of events within the theatre and arts space, along with a busy cafe area open 6 days a week and spaces available for groups, workshops, business meetings and a wide range of other events.