Anthony Roberts on art, Firstsite and Dad's Army

The quietly-spoken director of the arts centre explains the kitchen was once the chapel of rest in the former church, hence the intriguing marriage of the intricate stained glass windows and well-used formica worktops.

But this is the man who has been tasked with saving Firstsite, Colchester’s contemporary arts gallery.

He has six months to convince the Arts Council it is a viable, sustainable project.

If he fails, and the Arts Council withdraws its funding, the financial burden of the building will fall soundly on the shoulders of Colchester Council which owns the building.

The stakes are high, but Anthony is the man for the job.

He has the experience, having been director of the arts centre for the past 24 years. He is also blessed with a youthful enthusiasm and energy which defy his 55 years.

Anthony also has life experience and an ability to connect with everyone he meets – and this might just be his best asset in the challenge ahead.

The enduring criticism laid at the vast glass door of Firstsite is that it is elitist. There will be none of that in the future.

After graduating from Bristol University, Anthony became a car park attendant for two years.

He said: “I was probably the most qualified car park attendant ever. I was also the union rep for the car park, toilet and museum attendants.

“I learnt more doing that than in three years at university.”

He then got a job on a community programme at the Old Bull Arts Centre in north London.

He said: “I suddenly found something I could do and really liked.

“I used to think in the arts, jobs were either on stage or backstage. I did not think about the directing, producing or marketing.”

From there he went to Salisbury Arts Centre, then back to the Old Bull and finally put down his roots in Colchester when he became director of Colchester Arts Centre.

He has lived in the town for 24 years, a five-minute bike ride from Firstsite and a ten-minute ride from the arts centre.

The centre, or the Mother Ship as he calls it, has gone from strength to strength and, thanks to its diversity, is loved by Colcestrians of all ages.

The former church is the venue for plays, concerts, comedians, children’s shows and parties.

Anthony was there at 7am that morning to open up for that day’s farmers’ market.

He explained: “Our priority is to be creative about making space for other people to be creative in.

“We are not artists. We are not Coldplay or Michael McIntyre – who have played there – but our job is to make sure they don’t have to worry about other matters.”

So will anything go? He said: “It has to have artistic or social integrity. I would not have hypnotists or spiritualists here.”

And these principles will be carried through in his new role as interim managing director of Firstsite.

He has a one-year appointment, one year to turn the ship around.

He profoundly believes in Firstsite and its potential and wants to help to release it.

He said: “It breaks my heart to see what has happened. It is such a beautiful project, which I have followed since it was a twinkle in the eye of former firstsite director KathWood.

“I saw how this dream turned into this huge, golden palace.

“I just think it hasn’t found its voice yet, it has not connected with a lot of Colchester people.

There are lots of things happening, but they are not celebrated.

“The arts centre’s architecture feels warm and friendly whereas Firstsite’s architecture can be intimidating. It is gorgeous, but it is vast.

“I think it has worked as an exhibition space, but not as a social space. The exhibitions have run for too long and it does not feel very lively. It doesn’t feel like there is much fun.

“It has only been there three years. People have to create memories and that doesn’t happen overnight.

“It is like a child – it can’t walk and talk straight away. There are going to be a few tears and a few parties along the way.”

Anthony does not pretend to be an art expert, describing himself more of an art fan. However, he is clear: “To my mind there are two types of art – good and bad.

“Firstsite is led by contemporary art, it is its heartbeat, but the point is it is art from the here and now.

“The idea that opera is better than TV doesn’t make sense.

“You can get a bad opera and good TV like Breaking Bad or the Sopranos.

“My favourite thing of all time is Dad’s Army. The great writers and actors work in harmony. Of all the great comedians we have had at the arts centre – Harry Hill, Michael McIntyre, Al Murray – my great moment was introducing Frank Williams who played the vicar in Dad’s Army and who is comedy royalty.

“There is an understatedness about Dad’s Army, a politeness, a generosity and playfulness and it is humble.”

Anthony respects art in all its guises. He understands some art is accessible and some not so.

And it is this understanding which will help him bridge the gap to explain and interpret more challenging art.

He said: “Art can be difficult and so it should be sometimes.

Sometimes you have to put the work in and help people to understand it.”

Firstsite’s next exhibition will do just that. The theme is Colchester on Sea and it will feature gigantic paintings of the sea by artist John Virtue. They are black and white and dramatic.

Anthony said: “I defy anyone to stand in front of the paintings and not feel the power and the drama of the sea.”

But there will be so much more – including candy floss, crazy golf and postcard fun.

After that there will be an exhibition of contemporary art which anyone and everyone is invited to take part in.

Anthony also wants people to contact him to tell them what they think and what they want.

He understands the importance of the next six months and of Firstsite’s survival.

He said: “It is everything, it says everything about Colchester.

To be contemporary means you enjoy the present, the here and now.

“When Picasso was starting out, he was just a regular guy trying to get a gig.”

! Colchester on Sea is at Firstsite from Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14. Anyone wanting to speak to Anthony Roberts at Firstsite can call him on 01206 577067.