The CAST building at 3 Penrose Road in Helston was purchased from Helston Town Council in the summer of 2012 and now houses artists’ studios as well as a programme of public events and activities. The creation of studios was supported by grants from West Cornwall Local Action Group and the Rural Business Investment Scheme, both administered by Cornwall Development Company. The investment comes from the European Union and Defra through the Rural Development Programme for England. Contributions to renovation work have also been made by the Helston Downsland Trust and the Astor Foundation and help-in-kind from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose and Cornwall College.

In 2018 CAST was awarded a grant of £499,999 from Arts Council England’s Small Capital scheme to undertake a programme of renovations. The work was scheduled in two phases: CAST Café was refurbished and a black box screening space created to be ready in time for the opening of Groundwork at the beginning of May 2018; new artists’ studios were completed in 2019. The project was supported by grants from Cornwall Council and the Monument Trust, and by funding from Helston Town Council and the Helston Downsland Trust.

In 2023 ‘CAST rehabilitation phase two’ was awarded £705,374 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The award was made by Cornwall Council which has been chosen by Government as a Lead Authority for the fund and is responsible for monitoring the progress of projects funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Defra EU  Leader

Arts Council England Cornwall Council Helston Town Council