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 popular theatre and arts centre on King Street in Aberdeen, Scotland. It's a special place for people of all ages to enjoy plays, art, and music.
The building itself has a long history. It was once the North Parish Church. In 1963, it was transformed into the arts centre we know today. The building is so important that it is protected as a Category A listed building, meaning it's a site of special national interest.
The centre is run by a charity called Castlegate Arts Limited. Its goal is to give everyone, no matter their age or background, a chance to get involved in the arts.
Contents
What's Inside the Arts Centre?
The main part of the centre is its theatre, which can seat 350 people. The audience sits on two levels, with a lower floor and an upper gallery, giving everyone a great view of the stage.
For the performers, there's a small orchestra pit for musicians. Backstage, you'll find dressing rooms and rehearsal spaces. These rooms are used for getting ready for big shows and for local drama groups to practice.
Besides the theatre, the building also has an exhibition area. This space is used to show off amazing artwork from local artists and special visiting art shows.
Fun Activities and Shows
Aberdeen Arts Centre is always buzzing with activity. It offers many classes and workshops for the community. You can join drama classes or even take classes for writing and illustrating.
The centre is home to the Castlegate Theatre Company, an award-winning youth group for teenagers. This group is famous for creating its own original plays.
Throughout the year, the centre hosts many events. These include plays and musicals from touring companies and the yearly Granite Noir crime writing festival. During the summer, the centre puts on a big festival known as 'The Arts Carnival'.
A Community's Fight to Save the Centre
In 1998, the Arts Centre was in danger of closing. The Aberdeen City Council planned to cut its funding to save money. But the community, led by a woman named Annie Inglis, decided to fight back.
Annie was a huge supporter of the arts. Even while she was in the hospital, she organized a campaign to save the centre. She helped collect a petition with 14,500 signatures from people who wanted the centre to stay open. The petition was wrapped in a red ribbon and given to the city council leader.
The campaign was a success! The council agreed to let a new group run the centre. Campaigners worked hard to raise money and form a new company. In 1999, Castlegate Arts Limited was created. It is a charity run by volunteers that still operates the Aberdeen Arts Centre today, thanks to the passion of people like Annie Inglis.
External links
- Gazetter on the Arts Centre
See also
In Spanish: ACT Aberdeen para niños
