Artsdepot is a cultural center in North London that offers two small theaters, art galleries, and educational classes for children and adults in various genres. It hosts a constant stream of music, theater, and dance performances and also provides space for area theater groups.
Artsdepot is an arts, cultural and visual arts center in the Barnet district of North London. Planning for the center began in 1996 after a study by district leaders determined that the area lacked a viable arts center. It wasn’t until 2004, however, that the institution opened its doors to the public as a multifaceted arts incubator.
Located at 5 Nether Street in the North Finchley area of London known as Barnet, artsdepot in 2011 offers something for artists and patrons of diverse interests. Its two theatres, the Pentland and the Studio, are small-capacity venues, with the largest, the Pentland, seating just 395. However, a constant stream of music, theater and dance performances, by local and traveling artists, keeps area residents nourished with artistic possibilities. Some annual gatherings are free such as an open arts day called Play! Shows from the Big Draw or the London Jazz Festival, while other special events are usually admission only.
An important component of the artsdepot mission appears to be education. A slew of classes for children, from toddlers to teens, as well as adults, provide the opportunity to take to the stage or studio and gain performance or mastery of the visual arts. In 2011 several dance groups held regular classes, from the advanced FAME Academy of Performing Arts and Diddi Dance club to more beginner-level learning courses such as the child-focused Theatrebugs and Debutots history and music workshops. According to the center, classes are regularly offered in multiple genres to children of all ages above 10 months.
Adults also benefit from this educational mission, although most classes are not free. Adults can train with the Kinisi Dance Company, or they can join a studio or acting company. The popular zumba Latin dance fitness style is available in several ways in 2011: in classes called Zumba with Billie and Claire or Zumba Fitness with Roulla. The center also has a Bollywood Grooves dance class to incorporate another culture into the educational offerings.
The artsdepot complex regularly offers space for a handful of gallery events at any given time. Sometimes, the work comes from downtown artists’ studio courses, both amateur and masters. These shows run in conjunction with more professional gallery events, with themed takeovers bringing together notable local artists to other shows focused on a particular professional artist.
Many of the gallery’s visitors participate in the constant stream of shows hosted at artsdepot. However, the two theaters don’t just devote time to education-related plays. They also open tents for a number of area theater groups, who rent performance space from downtown to perform in front of suitable audiences.
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