Aberdeen Arts Centre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aberdeen Arts Centre |
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| General information | |
| Type | Arts Centre |
| Address | 33 King Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5AA |
| Town or city | Aberdeen |
| Country | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 57°08′58″N 2°05′39″W / 57.1495°N 2.0941°W |
| Opened | 1963 |
| Other information | |
| Seating capacity | 350 |
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Listed Building – Category A
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| Official name | Aberdeen Arts Centre |
| Designated | 12 January 1967 |
| Reference no. | LB19946 |
The Aberdeen Arts Centre is a lively theatre and arts hub located on King Street in Aberdeen, Scotland. It has a large auditorium with seats for 350 people. This special building is also a Category A listed building, which means it's protected because of its historical importance.
The building wasn't always an arts centre! It started out as the North Parish Church. In 1963, it was changed into the Arts Centre we know today. By December of that year, a group called the Attic Theatre Company was already putting on a Christmas show called "McWhittington."
The centre is run by a charity called Castlegate Arts Limited. They aim to give people of all ages and backgrounds the chance to experience theatre and art. It's a community-focused place where everyone can get involved in the performing arts.
What You'll Find Inside
The theatre has two levels for the audience: an upper and a lower gallery. There's also a small area for an orchestra. Behind the stage, you'll find dressing rooms and rehearsal spaces. These are used by actors and performers for shows and other projects, including local drama groups.
Exciting Programs and Activities
The Aberdeen Arts Centre offers many fun and creative programs.
- It's home to the Castlegate Theatre Company, an award-winning youth group for teenagers. This group focuses on creating their own plays.
- The centre hosts classes for writers and illustrators.
- You can also take drama classes led by experienced teachers.
- It welcomes touring drama and musical productions from other places.
- The centre is part of the annual Granite Noir crime writing festival.
- Every summer, the Aberdeen Arts Centre puts on its own festival, known as 'The Arts Carnival'.
The building also has a special area for art exhibitions. Here, you can see art shows by local artists and those visiting from other places. Since 2007, the centre has also had an "artist in residence" program. This means an artist gets to work and create art at the centre for a period of time. The first artist to do this was Will Teather.
Saving the Arts Centre
In 1998, there was a big effort to save the Aberdeen Arts Centre from closing. The Aberdeen City Council had decided to stop funding the centre to save money. This would have meant the centre would close.
A woman named Annie Inglis led a successful campaign to keep it open. Even while she was recovering in hospital, Annie helped organize a petition with 14,500 signatures! This petition was given to the council leader, Margaret Smith, to show how much people wanted to save the centre.
By June 1998, good news arrived! The city council and the campaigners reached an agreement. The campaigners were given time to form a special company and sign a lease to run the centre themselves. They also had to raise £60,000. Castlegate Arts Limited was officially set up on January 25, 1999. This volunteer-led charity still runs the Aberdeen Arts Centre today, thanks to all that hard work!
See also
In Spanish: ACT Aberdeen para niños
