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

A feasibility study prepared for the Black Box TrustNovember 2011spaces can complement each other” Sean Kelly, Director of Cathedral Quarter Arts Festivaland Out to Lunch Festival.All parties agreed the Black Box would be different to the MAC in terms of its currentinvolvement in Festivals and acting as a platform for upcoming talent, roles that are notenvisaged to be fulfilled by the MAC.“I don‟t honestly see the MAC as being a space that is about nurturing talent and newideas, and that‟s fine, it can be something else. Black Box is about risk taking and goingwith the flow of what‟s interesting in the world” Ruth McCarthy, OUTBURST Queer ArtsFestival“We cannot envisage a future without the Black Box and a theatre venue such as theMAC will not fulfil the same crucial role, if in fact it fulfils any role within our festival”Kieran Gilmore, Director of Open House Festival.Based on the all the feedback gathered from the Festivals and Promoters, it is evident that theBlack Box has played a key role in providing a key performance space for arts and culture eventsthat is flexible, accessible, versatile, affordable and optimally sized, with the only downside notbeing fully licensed. Whilst the majority recognise the benefits of the MAC as an addition to thearts and culture offering in the area, they see the need for the two venues to exist going forward.3.7 The Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC)To determine the artistic programming for the MAC and whether it would be in competition withthe Black Box, we consulted with its Chief Executive and Director of Programmes.The MAC is in the process of finalising all aspects of its programme in advance of its saleslaunch in January and its opening in April next year. They were able to confirm that they wouldbe hosting a range of events under broad categories such as visual art, theatre, dance, comedyand live music.The team behind the MAC originate from the Old Museum Arts Centre (OMAC) and are workingcollaboratively with other similar venues such as the Grand Opera House in Belfast, where theyhave agreed a joint marketing strategy. In addition, they have collaborative working practiceswith the National Theatre of Scotland and Theatre Wales, Tate, all NI festivals and almost alllocal producers across the artforms.The MAC view themselves as a totally different entity to the Black Box. The case for thecreation of and funding (capital and revenue) for The MAC has been framed in the context ofdeveloping a world-class state-of-the-art venue that will drive significant footfall into the citycentre. They were reluctant to link the opening of The MAC with the closure of any artsorganisation, including the Black Box, but noted that by establishing the argument for its initialfunding as a temporary venue in advance of the arrival of The MAC, the Black Box had defineditself in relation to The MAC in terms that have proven unhelpful for both parties.The MAC has specific targets, such as attracting 177,000 visitors each year, and will beoperating in a competitive rental market. They reiterated the importance of focussing on theirown business development and engaging a new audience, as they are establishing an entirelynew business in a difficult economic environment. This will automatically place them incompetition with all arts venues and leisure facilities in Belfast and Northern Ireland overall.27