Harris Your Place First Look: The Studio

Published 20 March 2023
by Eleanor Ghebache

Harris Your Place First Look: The Studio

Welcome to the new Harris, where new spaces have been designed to activate curiosity, creativity and reflection. Prepare for a unique blended offering of library services visible amongst the art and history collection items.

Image of the community exploring a space creatively.

Planning and Design of the rendered image by Ralph Appelbaum Associates.

Introducing the brand new Studio, a flexible space for a range of different imaginative activities to take place.

The space will be used for schools, adult community groups/learning sessions and family activities. When there aren’t sessions programmed, the space will be open for visitors to explore the displays or become an extra space to sit and hang out.

Objects from the collection will be displayed to both celebrate and inspire creativity such as painting, pottery, photography and dressmaking. There are also items to encourage visitors to explore similar themes elsewhere in the building – such as Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece.

The Studio will be a versatile environment with lots of natural light serving as a base for school visits and other learning activities. The space will have the functionality of hosting practical workshops, presentations and screenings.

The transformation of the Studio


Image of the Harris exterior building zoomed in on the top pediment feature

Harris Your Place

Harris Your Place is a £16million project set to restore and reimagine the Harris for 21st-century audiences as a cultural learning space. The aim of this project is to protect the building and the architecture for future generations whilst enhancing accessibility options and positioning the Harris as a community hub for Preston and Lancashire.

Harris Your Place is made possible with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund; Towns Fund; Preston City Council; Lancashire County Council; the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal; DCMS; Arts Council England, public donations and a wide range of Trusts and Foundations.

The capital project is more than simply preserving this much-loved building; the Harris wants to ensure that it remains a vibrant heart of the community. A place where people want to spend their time.

First Look at the Rotunda

Image of the Harris Ground Floor Rotunda with a variety of people exploring the new space. surrounding the Harris Pendulum

Harris Your Place Funders and Supporters Lock-Up

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