Aberdeen Arts Centre has raised the curtain on revamp plans that will put the theatre at the heart of the city’s cultural economy.
The revamp, worth £1 million, includes an overhaul of the Grade A listed building on King Street – with a new viewing platform.
Design images reveal how the theatre will fit into the city’s proposed Queen’s Square development.
Under the £150m scheme, the police HQ will be demolished to make way for a new urban quarter including 350 new homes as well as hotels and shops.
How will Aberdeen Arts Centre revamp look?
To take advantage of the surroundings, the new balcony will be built facing Queen’s Square.
And the space surrounding the building would be converted into something of a central square serving the new community.
Historic building to become part of ‘vibrant urban quarter’
Aberdeen Arts Centre was built in 1828, then as the city’s North Parish Church.
It served as a place of worship until the 1950s, and was transformed into a performance venue in 1963.
Its upgrade would make it the latest historic attraction to be enhanced as part of the drive to reverse Aberdeen city centre’s fortunes.
Already Aberdeen Art Gallery, the Music Hall and Provost Skene’s house have undergone expensive reinventions.
Plans will support a ‘thriving cultural economy’ that will ‘transform city’
Moray Barber, chairman of the Aberdeen Arts Centre board, believes the former Children’s Theatre has a bright future.
He said: “The Arts Centre is the city’s community-focused venue that provides accessible and inclusive theatre and arts experiences for everyone.
“And these new plans reveal how we will step up and support a thriving cultural economy that will transform our city centre.
“The benefits that a venue like the Arts Centre brings to the city are significant.”
All part of preserving the city’s heritage
Following the Covid lockdown, the Arts Centre opened with social distancing almost a year ago – one of the first venues in Scotland to do so.
And the first phase of the refurbishment has already begun.
With help from the City Heritage Trust and Historic Environment Scotland, £600,000 plans are under way to upgrade the building exterior.
Meanwhile, £100,000 is being spent on improving disabled access and facilities – with two new lifts and an external ramp.
Moray added that the long-term plans are dependent on the council renewing the lease on the building, which runs out in 2025.
Aberdeen Arts Centre is eager to take it on for another 25 years at least.
How will Aberdeen Arts Centre raise revamp cash?
As well as growing its income through commercial activities and venue hire, the Arts Centre is also broadening its offering…
Wellbeing programmes such as yoga and meditation classes are taking place there, and bosses hope to carry out more work with schools.
The venue is also bolstering its links with multicultural groups, creating a “regular programme of diverse and engaging events” while acting as a testing ground for artists, creative enterprises and new ideas.
Local professional actors and writers are being encouraged to test out new writing in a safe and relaxed setting.
And the doors will be thrown open to performers at new open mic nights.
Aberdeen City Council finance convener, Ryan Houghton, today backed the group’s vision.
He said: ‘I met with the team from Aberdeen Arts Centre recently and their ambition for how their incredible asset can strengthen the Queen’s Square development is exciting.
“We are fortunate to have groups across the city that know a vibrant city future depends on a blend of quality offerings to attract people into Aberdeen.”
You can learn more about the centre and its upcoming shows here.