Norden Farm Centre for the Arts

In 1992 an opportunity arose to consider part of the Norden Farm estate, sought for redevelopment. The site offered listed buildings together with a quality ambiance suited to creative activity, an opportunity to preserve part of Maidenhead's heritage and close proximity to the heart of the community which would enable use of the facility to be maximised. A trust with Registered Charity status, Norden Farm Centre Trust, was established to manage the project. In autumn 1994 the National Lottery commenced and Norden Farm Centre Trust applied to the Arts Council for lottery funding to complete Norden Farm. Following an intensive and detailed design and public consultation phase, planning…

The site retains two original, listed buildings associated with its architectural roots: a Georgian farmhouse, now used mostly as offices, and an 18th-century barn, now used as a flexible events space. The main theatre was constructed below ground-level, within a purpose-built wing attached to the other sections. The centre was built with a desire that the building itself would "express the transformative power of the arts"; its founding director was quoted: "We wanted a building that would excite and intrigue and artworks that were integrated into the fabric of the Centre." Thus specific Arts Council funding was awarded, enabling four artists to be recruited. Their resulting work, 'Deep…