ARTS & CULTURE


Baltic launches new ‘cultural hub’ in Newcastle


Gateshead’s iconic Baltic Centre Contemporary Art has unveiled a new arts “hub” – Baltic 39 – within a former printing warehouse in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Te institution will co-ordinate the pub-


lic gallery programme at Baltic 39, which was funded by Newcastle City Council in partnership with Arts Council England. Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art will


run the new venue alongside Northumbria University, which is using the facility to pro- vide a new home for its fine art students. Details: http://lei.sr?a=F4q9p


Belfast’s MAC officially opens


Belfast’s £18m Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC) has been welcomed as “another symbol of progress” by the Northern Ireland Executive, following the venue’s official opening. Carál Ní Chuilín, minister


for culture, arts and leisure, was among the figures in attendance at the launch of the new Hall McKnight-designed complex on 19 April. Located in the Cathedral


Quarter, the MAC incorpo- rates two black box theatre spaces seating 120 and 350 spectators respectively, as well as three art galleries and a dance studio. A rehearsal space and education rooms also


Te £18m facility is “another symbol of progress” for Northern Ireland


form part of the new development, in addition to office areas for resident art organisations and an artist-in-residence studio. Ní Chuilín said: “Te MAC is an impres- sive venue and a focal point for the arts in the


Te gallery recently marked its first anniversary


Turner gallery worth £13.8m to Kent economy


A new report has found that Turner Contemporary in Margate, a £17.4m gal- lery dedicated to artist JMW Turner, has generated £13.8m for the Kent economy. Te research was published to mark a


year since the attraction’s launch on 16 April 2011 and also showed that nearly 500,000 people had visited following its opening. David Chipperfield Architects designed


the gallery, which was built by R Durtnell and Sons and houses 750sq m (8,072sq ſt) of gallery space across two floors. Details: http://lei.sr?a=H0y2k


£12.6m Executive boost for City of Culture 2013


Te Northern Ireland Executive has agreed to contribute up to £12.6m of additional funding for Derry/Londonderry City of Culture 2013 over the next two years. Northern Ireland culture minister Carál


Ní Chuilín said the announcement under- lined the Executive’s ongoing support to ensure the success of the City of Culture. Nî Chuilín said: “Derry is a vibrant cul-


tural city, which is growing in confidence and asserting itself as a destination for vis- itors from near and far.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=h5Y5R


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Cathedral Quarter which stands proud among the north’s cultural offering.” Ní Chuilín’s predecessor at the Department


of Culture, Arts and Leisure and current social development minister Nelson McCausland also welcomed the opening of the MAC. Details: http://lei.sr?a=z4W1h


UK and China launch new ‘cultural dialogue’


Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt has met with Chinese state councillor Liu Yandong at the Victoria and Albert Museum in a “cultural dia- logue” between the two countries. Exchanges are scheduled to take place on an annual basis in order to develop closer links


in areas where the UK is a world leader, such as culture and the creative industries. According to the government, the UK is the


only country aside from the US to participate in high level talks with China on the issues. Details: http://lei.sr?a=z1t5C


Council approves West End theatre plans


Plans for the development of the “first new West End the- atre in more than a decade” have been approved by Westminster City Council as part of the Crossrail scheme. Te venue will occupy the


former Astoria site as part of the transformation of the Tottenham Court Road area, with retail, residential and office space also proposed. Crossrail submitted its plans


with Derwent London, which cover two schemes above each ticket hall of the inte- grated Crossrail and London Underground station. Derwent London has already entered into an


agreement with Nimax to operate the 350-seat theatre, which is part of plans for two of four development sites designed by AHMM.


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital Te new 350-seat theatre is to be built on the site of the former Astoria HawkinsBrown have also worked on designs


for part of the Tottenham Court Road vision, which is expected to cost around £1bn. Details: http://lei.sr?a=T4w7r


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2012


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