Construction and fitting out of the new performing arts centre at Prior’s Court has now been completed, with the facility officially named the Piper Arts Centre in tribute to our former Director of Learning, Sue Piper.

Sue, who left Prior’s Court in May after 25 years of dedicated service, was instrumental in the development of our pioneering autism approach and was the driving force behind the creation of the arts centre. The permanent name recognises her lasting impact and her belief in the transformative power of the arts for autistic young people with complex needs.

The Piper Arts Centre, believed to be the only arts centre in the UK built to meet the needs of autistic people, features adapted facilities to support autistic young people with complex needs to access opportunities in music, dance and drama and the life-enriching benefits this provides. 

An official opening event will take place on Thursday, 12 June, during which young people at Prior’s Court will showcase their talents and mark the beginning of a new chapter for the arts provision on site.

Ryan Campbell, Chief Executive Officer at Prior’s Court, said: “This project has been some four years in the making so it is hugely exciting to now be able to see the finished product. Young people performing in the official opening have already been accessing the centre to get ready for June 12 and by all accounts they’ve been doing fantastically in the centre.

“Being autistic with complex needs should not be a barrier to access the transformational power of the arts – whether that is performing on stage, watching a performance or simply having the space to explore arts in one’s own way. That is the philosophy behind the centre.”

The new facility will be open to all young people at Prior’s Court after the official opening, with ongoing performances and creative programmes planned to enrich the learning experience for all.

The fundraising appeal for this project reached its £1.1m target earlier this year, with contributions from more than 150 individuals, Charitable Trusts and organisations.

Why an arts centre?

Autistic individuals face many barriers to accessing the arts – from light and noise sensitivities to understanding of social rules. One aim of the centre is to mimic theatre environments to prepare more young people to access arts venues in the community successfully. This in turn allows for more special memories families can create together.  

This is in addition to young people having the opportunity day-to-day to express themselves creatively in a dedicated, bespoke space within the specialist learning and residential provision at Prior’s Court, where families can also attend performances. 

Our ambition is to also use the  centre to research best practice around providing support to access the arts, and sharing these learnings with others in the education and performing arts sectors for the benefit of autistic people, and their families, across the country and beyond. 

Learn more about the power of the arts in autism education