THE BANK ARTS CENTRE | A CREATIVE HUB FOR THE COMMUNITY
Established in 2012, The Bank Arts Centre is a not-for-profit community project run by Eyes Open CIC. We are a volunteer-led creative hub working to make the arts accessible and inclusive to our rural community. Based in a grade-II listed ex-midlands Bank building in the centre of Eye, Suffolk, we host an eclectic programme of exhibitions, live music, theatre, comedy, activities, workshops and classes alongside our family friendly café.
The Bank is a place where anyone can come along and feel welcome and involved. Enjoy a coffee and explore creativity with us!
ABOUT US | EYES OPEN CIC
The Bank Arts Centre is owned and run on behalf of the community by Eyes Open CIC (registration number 08330737). We are a volunteer, creative-led not-for-profit organisation driven to providing rural mid-Suffolk with inclusive access to the arts, culture and learning. Our organisation was established in 2012 by a team of local artists hoping to make lasting and meaningful impact to rural Mid Suffolk.
Our current leadership team came together by chance in 2022 and began an ambitious phased re-development of the Centre to transform it back into a much needed community hub. We are proud to be a creative-led arts venue and continue to experiment with innovative ways to provide activities, opportunities and support to all.
Our current leadership team came together by chance in 2022 and began an ambitious phased re-development of the Centre to transform it back into a much needed community hub. We are proud to be a creative-led arts venue and continue to experiment with innovative ways to provide activities, opportunities and support to all.
WHAT WE DO
As a creative community hub we host an eclectic programme of events and activities helping to make arts, culture and social opportunities more accessible and inclusive within our rural community. Our regular programme includes live music, comedy and theatre performances, art exhibitions, creative and digital classes and workshops, and social groups - all alongside our family friendly café. Through our work we hope to create a vibrant space where every individual feels welcome and inspired - A safe place to be social and build meaningful connections;
to explore arts and culture; to enjoy and play with creative practices; and finally, to learn and develop practical and personal skills.
All our operations and activies support the ongoing running costs of our Centre, with any profits being re-invested into the community. We are slowly becoming more self-sustaining however we also heavily rely on grant funding - Over the past 4 years, we have secured over £170,000 in grants to support the ongoing regeneration of the building, running costs our programme and community projects.
Major milestones in our journey so far include launching of our Digital Hub - The Vault - which has since provided funded digital learning opportunities to over 1000 children and young people; Re-establishing our exhibitions programme showcasing regional artists; launching our annual Young Artist Award to provide exhibition and development opportunities to creative students across Norfolk and Suffolk; and the ongoing renovations to our Main Hall - most significantly the recent re-design and upgrade of our lighting to energy efficient LED.
In May 2025, we received a Civic Award from Eye Town Council recognising the centre’s contribution to our Town and wider community. We are incredibly grateful for the support and recognition that celebrates our volunteers and supporters who continue to make the Centre the vibrant hub it is today.
As a creative community hub we host an eclectic programme of events and activities helping to make arts, culture and social opportunities more accessible and inclusive within our rural community. Our regular programme includes live music, comedy and theatre performances, art exhibitions, creative and digital classes and workshops, and social groups - all alongside our family friendly café. Through our work we hope to create a vibrant space where every individual feels welcome and inspired - A safe place to be social and build meaningful connections;
to explore arts and culture; to enjoy and play with creative practices; and finally, to learn and develop practical and personal skills.
All our operations and activies support the ongoing running costs of our Centre, with any profits being re-invested into the community. We are slowly becoming more self-sustaining however we also heavily rely on grant funding - Over the past 4 years, we have secured over £170,000 in grants to support the ongoing regeneration of the building, running costs our programme and community projects.
Major milestones in our journey so far include launching of our Digital Hub - The Vault - which has since provided funded digital learning opportunities to over 1000 children and young people; Re-establishing our exhibitions programme showcasing regional artists; launching our annual Young Artist Award to provide exhibition and development opportunities to creative students across Norfolk and Suffolk; and the ongoing renovations to our Main Hall - most significantly the recent re-design and upgrade of our lighting to energy efficient LED.
In May 2025, we received a Civic Award from Eye Town Council recognising the centre’s contribution to our Town and wider community. We are incredibly grateful for the support and recognition that celebrates our volunteers and supporters who continue to make the Centre the vibrant hub it is today.
OUR AIMS
We believe creativity it is the most powerful tool to achieving long-lasting positive change therefore we are committed to investing in creativity to ensure the creative arts are accessible, enjoyable, and affordable for all. We hope to create a diverse and enriched environment where every individual feels inspired to explore and play with creative practices, build meaningful connections though engaging with others, and grow self-confidence and skills to unlock personal potential.
We are driven to become a platform supporting all Suffolk-based creatives to showcase the region's incredible talent and promote a healthy and diverse cultural landscape. We champion developing career pathways in the creative industries and aim to provide personal and professional skill development opportunities for all artists and creatives.
We understand the incredible benefits creativity, collaboration and communication can have on our mental health and wellbeing and hope to recognised community hub where everyone feels safe, listened to, and accepted. Through coming together to appreciate and participate in the arts, we hope to encourage our community to become better connected through meaningful and empathetic communication.
Finally, but most importantly, we hope to continue developing our educational opportunities to provide equal and engaging opportunities to all children and adults. By supporting individuals to explore creative practices and develop valuable practical, personal and social skills, we aspire to contribute to the success of our future generations' ingenuity, resilience and compassion.
As an organisation, we aim to:
We believe creativity it is the most powerful tool to achieving long-lasting positive change therefore we are committed to investing in creativity to ensure the creative arts are accessible, enjoyable, and affordable for all. We hope to create a diverse and enriched environment where every individual feels inspired to explore and play with creative practices, build meaningful connections though engaging with others, and grow self-confidence and skills to unlock personal potential.
We are driven to become a platform supporting all Suffolk-based creatives to showcase the region's incredible talent and promote a healthy and diverse cultural landscape. We champion developing career pathways in the creative industries and aim to provide personal and professional skill development opportunities for all artists and creatives.
We understand the incredible benefits creativity, collaboration and communication can have on our mental health and wellbeing and hope to recognised community hub where everyone feels safe, listened to, and accepted. Through coming together to appreciate and participate in the arts, we hope to encourage our community to become better connected through meaningful and empathetic communication.
Finally, but most importantly, we hope to continue developing our educational opportunities to provide equal and engaging opportunities to all children and adults. By supporting individuals to explore creative practices and develop valuable practical, personal and social skills, we aspire to contribute to the success of our future generations' ingenuity, resilience and compassion.
As an organisation, we aim to:
- Encourage participation and engagement in the creative arts and digital
- Provide inclusive and subsidised access to opportunities for personal growth and skills development
- Use creativity to actively address recognised needs within the community
- Provide a safe, welcoming, and compassionate environment for those in need
- Provide a platform to support local artists and creatives
- Provide work experience and employment opportunities to our community
OUR VOLUNTEERS & COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Since opening 13 years ago, The Bank has been run by a small team of dedicated Volunteers. This includes our Directors, Chef, Barista’s and many more behind the scenes - who each share a passion for the creative arts and give their time to make a positive impact within the community. It is the work of our amazing volunteer team, and the generosity, kindness and support from our local community that keeps The Bank open and thriving!
Since opening 13 years ago, The Bank has been run by a small team of dedicated Volunteers. This includes our Directors, Chef, Barista’s and many more behind the scenes - who each share a passion for the creative arts and give their time to make a positive impact within the community. It is the work of our amazing volunteer team, and the generosity, kindness and support from our local community that keeps The Bank open and thriving!
