The Waterside Theatre and Arts Centre in Derry is to close on the 30th of June this year.
In a social media post this afternoon, the CEO says this decision was reached in light of funding issues, after careful consideration by the board and management of the organisation.
The statement concludes that planned theatre events and community arts programmes will continue as normal until the end of June.
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Statement from Sinead McLaughin MLA –
McLaughlin calls for review of arts funding after Waterside Theatre closure
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has called on the Communities Minister to review arts funding following the announced closure of the Waterside Theatre.
Ms McLaughlin said the closure would be a huge blow to the arts sector in Derry.
Foyle MLA Ms McLaughlin said:
“It is really disappointing to hear of the closure of the Waterside Theatre and Arts Centre from the end of June. In 2013, the people of Derry were promised a strong legacy from the City of Culture yet more than ten years on, I think it would be hard for anyone to say with confidence that this has been achieved and too often our arts and culture venues have been left to fend for themselves facing drastic cuts from the Arts Council.
“Investing in our arts and culture is critical to local regeneration and to the future economic development of this city and it needs the full support of government. The truth is that we should be investing more in our arts sector, not less, particularly in communities that are most deprived.
“In light of this announcement, I think it is incumbent on the Minister for Communities to review the current funding provided by his department to the arts sector in our city to ensure it is able to thrive, including whether further funding may be available to the Waterside Theatre and Arts Centre, given the contribution it has made to the cultural life of the city.
“I would further urge the Minister to ensure that there is a specific focus on Derry and the North West in the planned new Culture, Arts and Heritage Strategy and to ensure regional balance in the funding provided by his department.”
