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artsdepot facts for kids
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| Address | Nether Street, London, N12 |
|---|---|
| Public transit |  West Finchley |
| Capacity | Pentland Theatre: 395 Studio Theatre: 148 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 23 October 2004 |
| Architect | Ruddle Wilkinson |
| Website | |
| artsdepot.co.uk | |
The artsdepot is a cool place in North Finchley, London. It's a big centre where you can enjoy all sorts of arts. It opened on October 23, 2004. It was built to help people in North London experience and learn about different arts.
Contents
What Can You Do at artsdepot?
The artsdepot has two main theatre spaces. The Pentland Theatre can seat 395 people. The Studio Theatre is smaller, with 148 seats.
Shows and Events
You can watch many different kinds of shows here. They have plays, live music, and comedy acts. You can also see dance performances and visual art. There are special events just for children too!
Learning and Exploring
The building also has studios for dance and drama. There's a gallery where you can see art. Plus, there's a cafe if you want a snack or drink. The London Studio Centre shares the building. They offer courses for both kids and adults. artsdepot also works with local schools. They team up with art groups and festivals.
How artsdepot Started
The idea for artsdepot began in 1996. People in the London area of Barnet wanted better art places. They felt there weren't enough professional art facilities. The Bull Arts Centre was the only one, but it was small.
Planning the New Centre
Barnet Council officers worked on finding a good spot. They brought together different groups. These included the Old Bull Arts Centre and Barnet College. They looked for a commercial developer to help build it. Architects Ruddle Wilkinson designed the theatre spaces. The design came from working closely with partners. Alison Duthie, director of The Bull Arts Centre, helped a lot.
The Building Site
The artsdepot was built on a site that had been empty for over 20 years. Before that, a cinema called the Gaumont used to be there. The Gaumont cinema closed in 1980. It was taken down in 1987. A weekly market used to be on the empty site. This market moved to a nearby car park.
Construction and Opening
Building work for artsdepot started in December 2001. The project was officially named "artsdepot" then. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Tessa Jowell, launched the project. Most of the money for building came from the commercial development.
The artsdepot first opened its doors to the public on October 23, 2004. Over 2,500 people visited on its Community Open Day. The building was officially opened on November 26, 2004. The Earl of Wessex did the official opening.