09/03/2010
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland celebrated the tenth anniversary of one of Northern Ireland’s leading cultural venues, The Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre on Saturday 6th March.
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Since opening in 2000, The Market Place has become recognised as a buzzing artistic hub within Armagh City and District, hosting some of the best local and international artists. To celebrate its tenth anniversary year, the venue hosted a special concert by the Ulster Orchestra and launched two visual arts exhibitions which capture the work of Armagh artists who have exhibited and performed in the venue.
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has allocated over £4.3 million to The Market Place Theatre. £3.7 million of this grant was invested in the original capital construction, the largest ever grant for a new build at the time. Speaking at the anniversary event, Rosemary Kelly OBE, Arts Council Chairman, reflects upon the successes of the past decade, “Over the last 10 years The Market Place has played a pivotal role in Northern Ireland’s regional arts infrastructure, presenting a rich and diverse programme of arts and cultural activities. I have no doubt that this striking venue will continue to meet the demands of local audiences, bringing our facilities up to an international standard and providing Armagh with an outstanding centre which it can truly be proud of.”
Director of The Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre, Armagh, Jill McEneaney, commented, “Since it opened its doors in March 2000, The Market Place has presented the best of arts, culture and entertainment to over half a million people. Many of these are local people who are proud to have such an outstanding venue on their doorstep and many more travel from a wider area, attracted by the high quality and diverse programme on offer. Whilst we celebrate the successes of the past ten years at The Market Place we also look forward with eager anticipation because for Armagh and its theatre, the best is yet to come.”
In addition to celebrating the tenth anniversary, Rosemary Kelly OBE also launched two exhibitions, entitled, Ten Years of Armagh Art, which features the work of Armagh artists that have exhibited in the venue over the years; and Ten Years Through the Lens, an exhibition of work from local photographer Vincent Loughran, who has documented many of the performers that have entertained The Market Place Theatre’s audience since it opened.
The Theatre and Arts centre is the principal venue for the provision and promotion of the performing, visual and creative arts within Armagh City and District. The venue consists of 397 seat auditorium, 120 seat flexible studio space, visual arts gallery, conference, workshop and meeting rooms and restaurant and bar facilities.
Having recently achieved the Arts Council’s long-term ambition of providing access to an arts facility within 20 miles of every person living in Northern Ireland, the Arts Council and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure have turned their focus on improving facilities in Belfast.
