Brief Encounter With … Artsdepot Director Tracy Cooper
Launched in 2004, artsdepot is a multi-purpose culture centre located in North Finchley, heralded as a beacon of community outreach and as a development centre for local talent. Here, its director, Tracy Cooper, reflects on the past five years and looks to the future of the venue, including its forthcoming Artistic Associate scheme.
How has artsdepot evolved over the last five years?
We opened in October 2004, as a landmark cultural centre established for the enjoyment and development of the arts. Since then, artsdepot has brought the best of performing and visual arts to Barnet, and has become an exciting cultural venue for local audiences, as well as key player on the London arts scene. We welcome 80,000 people through the door each year. In April 2009, we celebrated our success with a Smooth Radio Love London award for Best Neighbourhood Theatre.
What impact do you think the venue has had on the local community?
Over the last five years, we have touched the lives of thousands of people, both at artsdepot and around the local community through our diverse Education and Outreach work. We’ve delivered a whole range of arts projects including film-making, visual art, dance and drama to some of the most disadvantaged communities in the area. It’s great to be able to give people a chance to discover their potential by working with arts professionals.
We have worked with refugees, asylum seekers, young offenders, people with disabilities, families, young people, hospices and school children. Every year around 400 people attend Clive, artsdepot’s much-loved club night for young people aged 14-25 with learning disabilities, 4500 school pupils use artsdepot’s facilities and 1200 local children use artsdepot’s free soft play.
Why are you launching an Artistic Associate scheme?
During its five year history, artsdepot has worked with a diverse range of artists both on and off stage. The Artistic Associate scheme builds upon this experience, allowing artsdepot to nurture the artistic development of a dynamic group of practitioners over a two year period.
Who is involved and how will the partnerships work?
The four artistic associates are Parrot (in the) Tank, A Thousand Cranes, Igloo and Charlie Dark. The aim of the scheme is to help these artists cultivate new work. During the scheme, ambitious artistic and valuable education projects will be developed, and resources, expertise, practical support and inspiration provided. We plan to help the artists export their work, bringing it to new audiences and furthering the reach of artsdepot.
What else have you got coming up on your stages in the near future?
The celebratory autumn season is in full swing and there is a packed-line up ahead. There is a performance from gypsy jazz group Giulia Y Los Tellarini as part of The London Jazz Festival as well as a rare stand up comedy gig from The One Show’s Hardeep Singh Kohli. In late November, Love&Madness bring two classic plays to the artsdepot stage: Romeo and Juliet and A Taste of Honey.
And this Christmas, we have a magical treat for the whole family. Brought to the stage for the very first time, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is an enchanting tale from the author of The Wizard of Oz which follows the young Santa on an adventure as he prepares to deliver presents to every boy and girl. There are free performances and birthday treats with selected shows including free drinks and backstage tours. And on top of all this, our programme of children’s shows will run every Sunday as usual.
For information on artsdepot and its forthcoming programme, visit www.artsdepot.co.uk
