Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff has received a £1.75m Capital Lottery Award from the Arts Council of Wales towards its £3.8m redevelopment project.

Peter Tyndall, chief executive of the council, said: “Chapter is one of Europe’s leading arts centres, and offers a diverse mixture of performance, visual arts, cinema and participation. It’s also the home for many artists and arts organisations.

“These imaginative plans will improve the experience of Chapter for all of its many users, and we are delighted to have been able to support them with a Lottery capital grant. We are really looking forward to seeing the work completed and with greater access to the same rich mix of activity in greatly enhanced surroundings”

Construction work – scheduled for April 2008 – will improve the centre’s cinemas, theatre and gallery and provide a café-bar area, according to designs by Ash Sakula.

Chapter’s director Janek Alexander said: “People tell us they are contributing because Chapter plays an important part in their lives and they want future generations to experience the diversity and opportunities the centre offers.”