Culture Quarter

The Bigger Picture

Gerry — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:44:58 +0000

In our early discussions and consultations Culture Quarter have concentrated on the two main pillars of the proposal - RenaisArt, the community-based theatre initiative, which will deliver a creative environment for local amateur and professional theatre groups, and the Mind Sports Centre, which will attract visitors to Whitley Bay, to its hotels, guest houses and businesses.

However, it is also important to say clearly that we believe the Dome is a Community asset for Whitley Bay, and we want to see the building in use as much as possible every day.

There are plans for music and theatre events in the Dome itself, taking advantage of the distinctive ambience of the space. Events such as the Folk Moot, which is still recalled fondly by many in the Town, could be revived, and there will be activities based around music, arts and crafts, as well as theatre and mind sports, all based in the Spanish City building.

We envisage a cafe space, where anyone can enjoy some light refreshment and browse a gallery of local artists’ work, or perhaps some craft jewellery.

Live music of all kinds will be encouraged in the various spaces, with an emphasis on local performers, and the very special acoustic of the Dome will bring out the best in acoustic groups and choirs.

In short, we want to make this corner of Whitley Bay a hub for all kinds of creative endeavour, and a great place for an outing for the whole family - at any time, on any day of the year.

Whitley Bay Regeneration - The Dome and Playhouse

Toby — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:05:52 +0000

As we may have said the Board of Culture Quarter are all residents of Whitley Bay - except one who is a foreigner from all the way over the other side of the river - so we’d be interested in your views on how NTC are doing with their Whitley Bay regeneration plans - are they doing enough, should they stop after the current projects are fulfilled or should they by taking it further. If so, where else. It is important for Culture Quarter to understand you opinions to help develop our Community driven strategy. So simply click the comments link below.

Any comments you want to leave not covered in the other blog topics?

Toby — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:08:50 +0000

Simply that - anything that doesn’t fit the other topics - or maybe another idea for a new blog - just fill in some details…

Go on click the “comment” link below…

Who do you want to see running our public buildings?

Toby — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:08:40 +0000

From our point of view this is where we need your support - are our buildings better left in the hands of a professional yet community led organisation like CQ with directors living and working in the Borough and where all of the profits will be re-invested into the strategy and the local area or left to a company with undoubtedly huge experience in the sector but with shareholders to satisfy? Or maybe a combination of the two?

If one building goes to private management, then this potentially opens the door for any of our buildings to pass this way, from sports stadia to village halls…what does this mean to you…

This question is partly why CQ became CQ…we think its wrong - do you? Click the “comment” line below to add your thoughts…

What are your expectations of North Tyneside Council in driving the Arts and Culture?

Toby — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:08:29 +0000

So, is our Mayor, the Councillors and their officials getting the balance right - the decision on who runs the Whitley Bay Playhouse and Dome doesn’t have to go through the Cabinet allegedly - pretty non-democratic - is this right our should we, the residents of North Tyneside, be allowed our say directly in the decision.

Have our Mayor and our Councillors got their strategy for the Arts and Culture right in our Borough?

Plenty to blog on here so simply click the “comment” line below to add your thoughts…

How do you see the development of Culture in our Borough?

Toby — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:08:16 +0000

What is culture to you - are the plans that Culure Quarter are laying out good enough, far-reaching enough, all encompassing enough. Take some time and give us your thoughts…

Just click the “comment” line below to add your thoughts…

What do you want from the Whitley Bay Playhouse and Whitley Bay Dome?

Toby — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:08:07 +0000

We’ve started to tell you what we want to do with it but the buildings are the communities so: is CQ exciting you with its offer or what do you want from our inheritance…

Simply click the “comment” line below to add your thoughts…