Theatres Trust Conference 2017 programme
- Details
Speakers will be discussing the role of theatres and the wider cultural infrastructure within placemaking. Teams behind recent theatre projects will explore how community and placemaking plays a fundamental role in the future proofing of their venues with Storyhouse Chester, Tara Arts, New Diorama Theatre, Royal Town Planning Institute, Argent LLP and others joining in the discussions.
Jon Morgan, director of Theatres Trust says: “Conference 17 will stimulate conversations around theatre buildings and their role in placemaking – ranging from their impact on vibrancy of place and the local economy, the physical and philosophical relationship of theatre buildings to their community and their contribution to wellbeing and identity. Our speakers and case studies bring with them a wealth of fascinating stories and experience from across the country.”
The annual conference, now in its eleventh year, has attracted a high number of key decision makers, influencers and practitioners from the cultural sector, from theatre operators and local authority planners, to developers and architects, theatre suppliers, manufacturers and installers.
In a break from the usual format delegates will be able to participate in a range of plenary and break-out sessions whilst listening to inspiring case studies to inform their discussions.
Conference 17 Speakers include: Dr Cara Courage an independent researcher and strategist at Futurecity - a leading culture and placemaking agency - will discuss the concept of 'placemaking' and its context for Conference 17.
Graham Lister, Project Director for Storyhouse Chester and Cllr Louise Gittins, Deputy Leader of Cheshire West and Cheshire Council will jointly discuss the recently opened Storyhouse and the important role local authorities play in supporting theatres and placemaking.
Jatinder Verma from Tara Arts - one of the country’s best known and longest established multi-cultural theatre companies recently worked with Julian Middleton from Aedas Arts Team on the refurbishment of their theatre building which won The Stage 2017 inaugural Sustainability Award. Together they will be discussing how they designed a new space to reflect the needs and identity of their local community in South West London.
David Byrne from New Diorama Theatre and Anna Devlet from British Land will be talking about their partnership to create and support the New Diorama Theatre as the creative heart of British Land’s development and placemaking work at Regent’s Place near Euston Station.
Damian Cruden from York Theatre Royal, and Angus Morrogh-Ryan from De Matos Ryan Architects will discuss their recent award winning redevelopment of York Theatre Royal and how it reflects the theatre’s place in York and its ethos of creating a democratic space which engages with the community.
Paul Callaghan, Chair of Live Theatre and Trustee of Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture Trust, will explore the role of culture within regeneration as part of the MACQ (Music, Arts and Cultural Quarter) project in Sunderland, re-establishing the area’s previous importance as the Edwardian heart and soul of the city.
And Ian Timms, assistant director for business development at Taunton Dean and West Somerset Council will be talking alongside leading architect Tim Foster about the plans for a new cultural quarter based around the redevelopment of the Brewhouse Theatre.
Daniel Rose, executive director, Mechanics’ Institution Trust will introduce the work of his organisation, a social enterprise and building preservation and development trust, and their motivation to bring the Swindon Mechanics’ Institution, back to life and to nurture it as a community run organisation in a Grade II* listed building fit for the twenty-first century.
Gold Sponsor Paddy Dillon, Director, Allies and Morrison said: “We have a keen interest in working with theatres, having helped to shape places such as the Royal Festival Hall, Shakespeare’s Globe and Snape Maltings. We believe arts institutions can have a positive impact on the wider contexts in which they inhabit and take particular joy in working with performing arts clients. It makes being a Gold Sponsor of the Theatres Trust Conference this year a natural fit.”
Gold Sponsor, Steve Tompkins, director, Haworth Tompkins said: “Theatres should be one of the physical highlights of our cities, the places that bring public space into vivid focus and generate a powerful impetus for positive change around them. They should also be at the heart of our communal life, the places where we meet to hear one another’s different stories and to sharpen our capacity for empathy. Our best theatre buildings manage to be both these things simultaneously, which is why they are uniquely important.” Booking information is available at theatrestrust.org.uk/latest/events/232-theatres-trust-conference-17-theatresplacemaking
(Jim Evans)
