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Aberdeen Arts Centre

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Aberdeen Arts Centre
Aberdeen Arts Centre is located in Central Aberdeen
Aberdeen Arts Centre
General information
TypeArts Centre
Address33 King Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5AA
Town or cityAberdeen
CountryScotland
Coordinates57°08′58″N 2°05′39″W / 57.1495°N 2.0941°W / 57.1495; -2.0941
Opened1963
Other information
Seating capacity350
Website
http://www.aberdeenartscentre.com/
Listed Building – Category A
Official nameAberdeen Arts Centre
Designated12 January 1967
Reference no.LB19946

Aberdeen Arts Centre is a theatre and arts centre on King Street in Aberdeen, Scotland with a 350-seater auditorium. It is a Category A listed building.[1]

The building was originally the North Parish Church. The church was converted to an Arts Centre in 1963.[2] By December of that year the Attic Theatre Company were presenting McWhittington, a pantomime over Christmas and New Year. [3]

As a successor to previous groups such as Aberdeen Children's Theatre established by Catherine Hollingworth, and ACT Aberdeen, Castlegate Arts Limited which operates Aberdeen Arts Centre has charitable status.[4] The centre is a community-focused arts venue, which aims to provide facilities and opportunities for individuals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to engage in the performing arts.[5]

The theatre is on two levels, with an upper and a lower gallery for audiences. There is a small orchestra pit and behind the stage there are dressing and rehearsal rooms for the shows and other projects such as local drama groups.

In addition the theatre has a large participatory arts programme. The centre is home to Castlegate Theatre Company (formally established by Annie Inglis), an award-winning youth group for teenagers which focuses on devised theatre. It hosts classes for writers and illustrators, Drama classes, led by Sheena Blackhall, Julie Hutton and Barry Donaldson. It hosts touring drama and musical productions and the annual Granite Noir crime writing festival.[6] In addition Aberdeen Arts Centre puts on a summer festival known in Aberdeen as 'The Arts Carnival'.

The building also houses an exhibition area which hosts local and visiting art shows. Since 2007 it has hosted an artist in residence programme at the arts centre. The first artist was Will Teather.[7]

Fight to save Aberdeen Arts Centre

[edit]
A plaque recognising the role of Annie Inglis in saving Aberdeen Arts Centre from closure.
Commemorative plaque for Annie Inglis at Aberdeen Arts Centre

A successful campaign was led by Annie Inglis to save the Aberdeen Arts Centre from closure in 1998.[8][9] Aberdeen City Council, as part of a bid to save £17.5m from its annual budget, had decided to cut funding for the centre to save £167,000 annually.[10] In March 1998, while recovering in hospital from an asthma attack, Annie had coordinated a 14,500-signature petition to save the centre. This was presented, wrapped in red ribbon to Aberdeen City Council leader, Margaret Smith.[11]

By June 1998 it was announced that an agreement had been reached between the city council and campaigners who were given until September to form a limited company and to sign a lease with the council as landlords.[12] This was then extended by 10 weeks to allow them to meet a fundraising target of £60,000.[13] Castlegate Arts Limited was set up on 25 January 1999.[14] This is a volunteer led charity which continues to run the centre.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "33 King Street, Aberdeen Arts Centre (Category A Listed Building) (LB19946)". Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  2. ^ "33 KING STREET, ABERDEEN ARTS CENTRE (LB19946)". portal.historicenvironment.scot. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  3. ^ "Attic Theatre Company presents McWhittington". Aberdeen Evening Express. 25 December 1963. p. 7. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  4. ^ "OSCR | Charity Details". www.oscr.org.uk. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Aberdeen Arts Centre". Aberdeen Arts Centre. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  6. ^ "What's On". Aberdeen Arts Centre. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Biography – Will Teather". Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Obituary | Tes Magazine". www.tes.com. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  9. ^ "The Silver City Vault::Stop 6: Annie Inglis MBE (1922-2010), Aberdeen Arts Centre, Catherine Hollingsworth (1904-1999) and Isabella Fyvie Mayo (1843-1914), 31 King Street". www.silvercityvault.org.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  10. ^ Lawther, Graham (26 November 1998). "Arts centre rescue plan in the wings". Aberdeen Evening Express. p. 84. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  11. ^ "14,000 petition to Save Arts Centre". Aberdeen Evening Express. 2 March 1998. p. 17. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  12. ^ Smith, Helen (29 June 1998). "Saved. Arts Centre victory claim". Aberdeen Evening Express. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  13. ^ McGill, Craig (14 October 1998). "Campaigners given more time to save Arts Centre". Aberdeen Press and Journal. p. 6. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  14. ^ "CASTLEGATE ARTS LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
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