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

A feasibility study prepared for the Black Box TrustNovember 2011“We want to keep the area (Cathedral Quarter) unique and the Black Box adds to this andif we lose it, that‟s something that makes up what has now become Belfast‟s mostpopular venue” Nick Price of Nick‟s Warehouse, Cathedral Quarter Belfast.Based on the evidence gathered during the consultations with local businesses, it appears thatthe Black Box has played a key role as an arts and culture performance space and as amember of the local business community in the Cathedral Quarter. It has attracted people to thearea, creating a spillover effect in terms of increased trade for local proprietors, and the fact thatits presence would be missed if the venue was to close, suggests that there is a need for itsfuture operation locally, in complementing existing infrastructure and resources.While the MAC is expected to have a positive effect on the Cathedral Quarter, it is alsoconsidered to be very different from the Black Box in terms of the type of events it will host andthe audiences it will attract, suggesting that the two venues could co-exist.3.6 Engagement with Festivals and PromotersTo better understand the role of the Black Box as an arts, culture and events space, wedistributed a questionnaire to a selection of Festivals and Promoters who use the Black Box toshowcase their acts/performances. We also wanted to identify the Black Box‟s strengths andweaknesses, as well as gauge the need for the venue and what impact the arrival of the MACwould have on its future operation.The Festivals and Promoters who provided feedback to the questionnaire use the Black Box forevents, acts and activities of all genres throughout the year.The flexibility of the venue, its location, size, versatility and affordable prices were identified askey strengths of the Black Box.“The Black Box has many strengths and attractions to a festival organisation like ours.There is no other Belfast venue that is so flexible in terms of concert seating/standingarrangements. It has a fantastic location on Hill Street which is right in the heart of theCathedral Quarter and in terms of size, it allows us to programme small and mid-scale –and therefore affordable - festival events. The Black Box is crucial to our festival needsand unique in its informal atmosphere which is paramount to any music or arts event”Kieran Gilmore, Director of Open House Festival.“It (the Black Box) is the most welcoming and accessible venue in Belfast, with down toearth and friendly staff… The staging area is very versatile and it‟s great having flexibilitywith seating arrangements and styles. The location is excellent, right in the heart of thecity but with a lovely hidden-away gem feel to it. The price is always reasonable as well”Ruth McCarthy, OUTBURST Queer Arts FestivalSince its opening the Black Box has become well known within the arts and culture sector andgiven its growing audience base and the lack of similar venues in Northern Ireland, Festivalsand Promoters are keen to showcase their events and acts at the venue throughout each year.In some instances, it is the only venue that Festivals and Promoters will consider.“The Black Box has a feel and an atmosphere that both artists and audience love. It isalways the first venue I consider when booking an artist to play in Belfast. It has become25