Zinc is a dynamic and forward-looking professional arts organisation, specialising in the area of disability arts and social inclusion. It is the largest professional arts organisation based in Epping Forest.
Zinc runs a range of arts activities focusing particularly on disabled people and other disadvantaged groups.
Formerly known as Theatre Resource, Zinc also manages the district's only full-time arts centre.
Zinc is currently developing its arts centre in Chipping Ongar, Essex into a community arts resource and a place dedicated to education, innovation and excellence in the arts for disabled people and socially excluded groups.
The fully accessible residential centre, which is costing £6.2 million to develop, will offer a wide range of hirable rooms and facilities to businesses, groups and clubs as well as a year-round programme of arts activities and education classes run by Zinc and other community education partners.
It will also run a programme of theatre performances, concerts, arts exhibitions and film screenings. The centre is due to open in Autumn 2011.
Zinc is funded by Arts Council England, Essex County Council and Epping Forest District Council and runs outreach work in a variety of venues across Essex and Hertfordshire, as well as projects at the arts centre in Chipping Ongar.
Zinc is also funded to work regionally and nationally, developing opportunities for disabled people to take part in the arts and training other arts organisations and agencies.