The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) will stage its graduation ceremonies at the Bristol Beacon from 2024, as part of a newly announced partnership.
UWE Bristol, which has previously held its end of year ceremonies at Bristol Cathedral, said it would also put on other large-scale events at the cultural venue, formerly known as Colston Hall.
Bristol Beacon is currently undergoing a major renovation, with the most recent estimated cost for the works around £132m. It is currently scheduled to reopen in November.
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The two organisations said as part of the deal, UWE Bristol students will be granted more opportunities to access creative and cultural experiences outside of their course disciplines, including exhibitions, gigs, academic programmes and through UWE Bristol’s Centre for Music.
Professor Steve West, vice-chancellor of UWE Bristol, said: “Bristol Beacon is one of Bristol’s most iconic historical and cultural venues, and as it prepares to re-open and in UWE Bristol’s 30th anniversary year, it feels like the perfect moment in both our histories to work together to create fantastic opportunities for our students and staff.
“While we have been very proud to host our graduation ceremonies at the stunning Bristol Cathedral over the past 30 years, we are confident that Bristol Beacon will provide a wonderful venue for our graduation ceremonies from next year."
Bristol Beacon chief executive Louise Mitchell added: ”Our new partnership with UWE Bristol perfectly encapsulates the benefits and opportunities that the completion of our building transformation will bring to the city. It is fantastic to enter into this broader partnership, which enables us to go further in our shared values of inclusion, diversity and sustainability.
“This is a great example of how Bristol Beacon can, through successful corporate partnerships, ensure our mission of unity and joy through live music is felt across the city."
The venue said once the revamp is complete around 800 events a year will be held at “one of the best and most accessible performance and music education venues in Europe”, with two international standard performance venues, restaurants and bar, and its historic cellars being used for the first time as education and performance spaces.
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