40th Birthday celebrations for Hexham arts institution
The Queen's Hall Arts Centre is celebrating their 40th anniversary
40 years of arts and culture in Hexham is being highlighted - as a local theatre celebrates their birthday.
It's the anniversary of the Queens' Hall Arts Centre, which has been providing access to culture and the arts for 4 decades.
Having been a dance hall, a cinema and latterly a bingo hall, in 1975 the building was jointly purchased by Northumberland County Council and Tynedale District Council for development and opened as an arts centre in 1983.
Last year, Queen’s Hall Arts programmed 387 live performances, talks and workshops, attracting over 32,000 people through ticket sales alone. Outside of this, QHA also leads on a programme of events and projects in collaboration with local communities including Festival of Flame, Hexham Lantern Parade, Animating Hexham and Illuminated Sheep.
Artistic Director Katy Taylor explains,
“Queen’s Hall is an organisation that reaches far beyond our building. As a registered charity, our mission is to be the creative heart of the community - we co-produce and commission new work, we collaborate with partners locally, regionally and nationally, including the Hexham Culture Network, and we connect with young people, older people and everyone in between.
"I want to thank our fantastic staff team, freelancers, volunteers and our wonderful community, who are the reason we’re still here after 40 years.”
Rachel Adam, Chair of the Board of Trustees says,
“The impact on people’s lives over 40 years is incredible. There are so many stories including memories of coming to events with families and friends, experiences of performing on stage or having work presented in the gallery, work with schools and community partners that is often transformative, and opportunities for artists, freelancers and companies to make and tour new work.
"For 40 years, Queen’s Hall Arts has provided enjoyment and inspiration, opened up new opportunities, increased confidence, aspiration, wellbeing and pride - we look forward to the next 40!”
This summer, Queen’s Hall Arts led on the first ever Hexham Pride - a month of inclusive and accessible events shaped by local residents celebrating LGBTQIA+ culture, with an
emphasis on family activities, local performers and groups.
To safeguard the venue’s long-term future, Queen’s Hall Arts now needs to raise £65,000 for essential repairs to the Fly Tower.
They tell us directly above the main stage, it plays a vital role in ensuring exciting productions from across the UK can come to Hexham, as well as providing a space for local artists to showcase their work.
You can find out more about the fundraising efforts and the 40th anniversary celebrations at the theatre on their website.