THE future of Dorchester Arts Centre is to be put under the spotlight in a £10,000 review.

West Dorset District Council wants to assess the town's arts infrastructure and potential growth in the future.

As part of the review it will look at how the proposed Maltings Arts Centre at Brewery Square could impact on Dorchester Arts Centre.

Jude Allen, cultural development officer at West Dorset District Council, said: "The current Dorchester Arts Centre is at a stage where it would like to review its activities and is keen to be involved in the review to determine the best way forward.

"All stakeholders, including the council, are going into this with a very open mind.

"The needs of the arts community and Dorchester residents will need to be balanced with the sustainability of any arts provision and the finances available.

"There are no preconceived ideas as to where this will lead."

The consultancy will run between June and September this year.

During this time the council will talk to arts providers around the town working in visual arts, music, theatre, dance and film promotion.

The district council has written to Dorchester Town Council to ask for a £500 contribution towards the review.

It has also asked for a representative to be appointed to sit on a steering group.

Mrs Allen said research into the arts was last done in 2000 to see if there was a need for a new arts facility.

But since that time new proposals have been made - The Maltings Arts Centre, Brewery Square, the formation of the Dorchester Arts Forum and the growth of the Dorchester Arts Festival.

It is hoped that this piece of consultancy will provide clear direction on how the arts should be supported in the medium to long-term future.

Organisations that will help with the review will include Dorset County Council, Arts Council England South West, Dorchester Arts Centre and Dorchester Arts Forum.