A South Cumbrian arts centre has launched a million pound campaign to become one of the most advanced digital arts venues in the country.

Kendal’s Brewery Arts Centre has launched its Our Digital Futures campaign which aims to raise £20,000. This will help the centre unlock £500,000 which has been pledged by the Arts Council England and strengthen applications to several charitable trusts that are currently underway.

The money needs to be raise by April when, if successful, work will begin to completely upgrade the Brewery’s cinema screens, create a digital learning hub with state of the art equipment and a dedicated new space to exhibit digital art from around the world.

Brewery chief executive Richard Foster said: “I have always been staggered at how readily the people of Kendal and beyond get behind our fundraising campaigns. Recent campaigns to upgrade our lift and buy new outdoor seating were very successful in a short space of time and I think this is testament to how highly the Brewery is regarded as a place for everyone in the community. We are incredibly grateful for the public’s support in the past when everyone’s resources have been tight and hope they will help us once again as this is the project that will really secure the Brewery’s future.”

“Indeed, one of the reasons we called the campaign Our Digital Future is to emphasise that this project will ultimately benefit everyone in Kendal, giving them cutting edge facilities worthy of an amazing town like Kendal, where innovation and creativity have always been important.”

Specific elements of the upgrade include:

· Cutting edge spaces fitted with the latest digital projection and sound, large screens, premier seating, carpets and contemporary décor,

· A digitally enhanced theatre for live performance, film and live to digital cinema, where live performances and events can be captured, recorded and broadcasted online

· Creation of a Digital Learning Hub for the 2D/3D digital arts, animation, film and media open to the community and professional artists

· A refurbish and updated rehearsal studio and development space for theatre, dance and film

· The installation of energy efficient LED stage lighting

“We will be working hard on the fundraising campaign in the coming months and aiming to give local people real ownership of this exciting project which will give them the arts centre they deserve, now and in the future,” said Mr Foster.