FEASIBILITY_STUDY , item 14. PDF 1 MB - Meetings, agendas and ...

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A feasibility study prepared for the Black Box TrustNovember 2011Figure 3.1: Black Box annual audiences, April 2006-July 20112011201020092008200720060 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000 45000 50000Source: The Black BoxNumber of people attending the Black BoxNote: Figures include people attending performances in and usage of the café in the GreenRoomNote: 2006 figures represent audiences from April to December and 2011 figures representaudiences from January to JulyTaking full years of operation of the venue, as the venue only ran for nine months in 2006,audience numbers have increased steadily between 2007 and 2010, rising from 31,150 to43,000. This 38 percent growth in audiences over this period was not only remarkable for theBlack Box as a new performance venue but also for the period of recession it operated in.The contagion of effects as a result of the recession was felt by the majority of households inNorthern Ireland. The housing market crash in late 2007/early 2008, where prices plummeted byalmost 50 percent, coupled with rising unemployment and increasing fears over job security,had a detrimental affect on consumer confidence and spend.In uncertain economic times, consumers tend to rein back their spending on „luxury‟ items orleisure activities, such as theatre tickets and concert seats as they are seen as an „indulgence‟,and to save a greater proportion of their disposable income.There was overall consensus from the consultations that the Black Box was “good value formoney”. As a “niche and cheap” venue it has managed to attract a growing audience.Perhaps, this is part of the Black Box‟s charm, offering quality entertainment on a budget hasstimulated demand for the venue with “tickets for most events selling out”.This is likely to be the trend going forward, given the mass of pay freezes within the public andprivate sectors, the escalating rate of inflation and lack of job opportunities. These are all factorsputting downward pressure on household incomes.16
A feasibility study prepared for the Black Box TrustNovember 2011It appears that the Black Box has created its own demand for the events it hosts as it providesvisitors and tourists the opportunity to enjoy the arts and cultural activities at relatively lowprices. Furthermore, in the current economic environment we are living in, where increasinglypeople are demanding more „‟value for money‟, has dictated the „need‟ for an affordableperformance space such as the Black Box.“The size of it (The Black Box) is what makes it work and the price – its not expensive,very seldom are you talking £20 in there, more likely £10-£12, sometimes £5-£6, which isa very cheap night out these days. The venue adds enormously to the area.” Nick Price ofNick‟s Warehouse restaurant, Cathedral Quarter Belfast.3.3.2 A range of eventsThe Black Box programmes and is involved in the organisation of different artistic performancesand cultural events throughout the year. Located at the heart of the Cathedral Quarter it benefitsfrom the wide range of festivals held in the area, such as Culture Night, Outburst Queer ArtsFestival, Out to Lunch, Belfast Film Festival and Open House Festival. Table 3.1 below providesan overview of the events by type for each year since the Black Box opened.Table 3.1: Events at the Black Box, April 2006-July2011Event type: 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 TotalComedy 5 15 17 12 21 21 91Literature 8 30 29 22 7 1 97Theatre 17 23 23 18 24 9 114Charity & Family 7 21 14 13 14 8 77Music 77 133 181 186 234 172 983Other 25 29 25 44 28 16 167Film 10 23 31 12 8 18 102Visual &Performance Art 11 2 8 3 8 4 36Dance 1 0 3 9 18 15 46Circus & Cabaret 1 3 10 7 6 0 27Words & Ideas 0 3 0 3 19 9 34Total 162 282 341 329 387 273 1774Source: The Black BoxThere have been almost 1,800 events held in the Black Box between April 2006 and July 2011,55 percent of which fall within the music event category. Over the years, the Black Box has builtup its reputation as a popular music venue, giving indigenous artists the opportunity to perform.Music has been the most successful art form for the Black Box in terms of meeting its overallobjectives as a temporary venue. It has showcased the best local talent such as „Cara Dillon‟and has attracted less mainstream, less traditional and younger audiences by putting onperformances from rock and punk bands such as „Black Sunday‟. The proportion of musicevents to total events has grown from 47% in 2006 to 63% in 2011.Since April 2006, the Black Box has successfully programmed approximately 22 percent of thetotal events it hosts, approximately 69% of which have been music related. The Black Box‟scuration of music events has grown steadily from 62% (of total curated events) in 2006 toalmost 71% in 2011, an increase of 9%.17
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