 Creative energy is to be diverted on to paper, the charity said |
Young people whose anti-social behaviour discouraged visitors to an arts centre are to be invited in. Chatham's New Arts Centre opened in 2002 with a free gallery and 32 studios where artists work, but it suffered from anti-social behaviour and thefts.
Now �10,000 from the Kent People's Trust, which is backed by Kent Police, will pay for improvements and graffiti art workshops for young people.
Kent's police chief Mike Fuller was at the centre to hand over the funds.
'Creative energy'
Ann Barnes, chairwoman of the Kent Police Authority, who was also at the centre on Wednesday, said the project would complement police work in the area.
The trust said it would "help divert creative energy onto paper rather than onto walls".
Security improvements planned for the first part of the project will include installing CCTV and lighting, using anti-graffiti paint, and clearing up drugs litter.
The second part will involve a series of workshops.
Art at the centre, which has a shop, education project and cafe gallery, ranges from painting and etching to ceramics and sculpture.
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