We mark our first birthday this weekend so have been looking back on a memorable first year of new experiences, new voices and new stories…
Since opening our doors in May last year with an exceptionally successful HOMEwarming weekend attracting 28,000 visitors, we have now welcomed over 1 million visits, presenting exciting new theatre productions, exhibitions, film seasons, commissions and artistic collaborations with outstanding companies, artists, writers, directors and producers from the North West, the UK and across the world.
Our opening season of state-of-the-art exhibitions attracted over 57,000 visitors (critically acclaimed group shows The heart is deceitful above all things and Safe, Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige’s I must first apologise…, and AL and AL’s Incidents of Travel in the Multiverse). Our exciting and international theatre programme has produced its own work (The Funfair, The Oresteia, Inkheart) and, in collaboration with the world’s most renowned theatre companies (Young Vic, 1927, Hofesh Shechter, Nanterre-Amandiers, Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, and Complicite), brought the best of UK and global theatre to Manchester.
Our film programme has been widely praised for its breadth and diversity, with specially curated film seasons (James Benning, Jim Allen) and one-off events with some of the industry’s most exciting and inspiring talent including GoGo Penguin, Josephina Onimaya, and the Dutch Uncles’ Robin Richards. Showcasing the best in contemporary and classic cinema, over 530 different films have been screened here at HOME since we opened last year from more than 40 different countries. In total, we have sold 211,000 tickets in our first year for theatre productions, film screenings and events.
“Culture runs through all of us. We all require creativity and aestheticism in our lives, to learn, to grow, and to challenge. It’s been an enormous pleasure to see HOME grow into the magnificent space it has become today, over the course of just one year. Its programme is incredibly ambitious and diverse, and it is fantastic to see that so many people have already been to enjoy events across theatre, art and film. Here’s to year two – it will be exciting to see what HOME will achieve in this next year.” Danny Boyle, HOME Patron
“It’s quite extraordinary to see in the space of a single year how quickly HOME has become the heart and soul of culture and talent in the North West. There’s a buzz and an energy in the building. When at HOME it seems everyone feels secure enough and safe enough to take real risks. It’s an energising and exciting place to be wherever you find yourself in the building. It’s a great place to be alone or with friends, in any of the cafes or at a show, you always feel as if you have the magic key that opens the door to HOME.” Jackie Kay MBE, HOME Patron
Our organisations positive social impact stretches beyond programme activity. To date, we have recruited over 280 volunteers, from a wide range of backgrounds, providing them with opportunities to develop, gain new skills, share expertise and give something back to the community. More than 32,000 visitors, including 3,800 young people, have taken part in 745 talks, workshops, tours and engagement events.
The Inspire Scheme, supported by the Oglesby Charitable Trust has enabled us to provide low cost tickets to specific community groups and those who might not normally have the opportunity to visit the venue or take part in cultural events. With the help of the Inspire Scheme, it has been possible to offer access to cinema and theatre tickets for as little as £1, supported by Transport For Greater Manchester and First Bus, for over 600 people.
Our strong emphasis on talent development is reflected widely throughout our programme. Over 230 local creatives have showcased their work, and more than 1,800 hours’ worth of free rehearsal space has been provided to theatre companies across the country.
HOME Young Creatives, aimed at young people aged 15 – 25, is dedicated to support, develop and platform local creative and creative industry practitioners. Led by industry professionals, the initiative features regular workshops, talks, showcase events and networking opportunities to help develop skills and encourage innovative thinking in Manchester and beyond. During the past year, we have also issued over 19,000 £5 student tickets, and 160 schools have engaged with us to take advantage of the diverse programme.
We have won two prestigious architectural awards, the 2016 RIBA North West Awards, shortlisting HOME as one of 17 new and exciting projects, and the 2016 RICS Awards, Tourism and Leisure category, showcasing achievements of the most inspirational regional initiatives and developments in land, property, construction and the environment.
Dave Moutrey, our Director and Chief Executive, commented: “It is with huge pride that we look back at our first year as HOME. Communities in Manchester and from further afield have enjoyed various aspects of our programme, and come to love this creative space where what’s new is what matters, and what matters is that you’re always made to think, question and feel…at home. We’ve had the pleasure of working with a huge number of extremely talented people from all over the world, and have been blown away by the level of support helping us to present audiences with an extraordinary, ambitious and yet accessible programme. We’re excited to see what the next year holds in store for us.”
Jonty Claypole, Chair of the HOME Board, said: “It’s amazing to think HOME is only a year old. This is an organisation finding its voice fast, with a range of productions and events that even the most established venue would be proud of. As we approach year two, we want HOME to be increasingly associated by artists and audiences alike as a place of discovery and innovation – the home for new experiences, new voices and new forms of storytelling.”
Want to know more about our first year?
DOWNLOAD THE REVIEW OF OUR FIRST YEAR
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Our celebratory weekend will mark our first anniversary with activity across art, theatre and film, presenting installation, performance, theatre productions, film previews, live musical performances, workshops and family-friendly events. Find the full programme of events here.