Ryde's Department set to open its doors in March

Department - Ryde will open its doors on 13 March 2025. Shademakers UK, a locally based international arts and carnival company, are leading the transformation of the historic department store, in partnership with architects TurnerWorks and Isle of Wight Council.

With ‘Art at its Heart’, this new cultural centre will transform creative opportunities for the local community on the Isle of Wight and offer new access in an area of deprivation for people to engage in creative and visual arts, theatre, digital and carnival activities. Department is one of the Phase 2 DCMS Cultural Development Fund projects, and has the support of DCMS/Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, Architectural Heritage Fund and was initiated with the support of the Ryde High Street Action Zone.

Department - Ryde offers a new theatre space, performance and rehearsal areas, a foyer exhibition area, a café at the heart of the community, and artist workshop spaces for local professionals. Opening events will feature newly commissioned creative work highlighting the past history of the building. 

In a project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Shademakers has commissioned local creatives to work alongside the core team to create new exhibitions. Local arts partners Stitch Department, Horse Box Theatre and Ryde Arts are interwoven into the fabric and plans for the new building and, along with Shademakers UK, will provide exceptional new opportunities for the whole community, and nurture the next generation of professional creative talent.

Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration, Culture and Leisure, Isle of Wight Council said: “I am so proud to see the transformation of this building into the new Department project in Ryde. Culture-led regeneration is a crucial part of the Isle of Wight Council’s corporate strategy, aiming to revitalize our high street and enhance community engagement.”

“We are immensely grateful for Arts Council England’s investment in the Isle of Wight, fulfilling a community need and showing their belief in us. The creative team at Shademakers has shown remarkable vision and capability in driving this project forward."