Old Diorama, New Starts
Old Diorama Arts Centre has been a bit quieter, publicly at least, than many other arts organisations over the last year, but there's been lots happening behind the scenes. We wanted to let you know some updates!
New leadership
ODAC is returning following the COVID-closure, in the charity's 40th anniversary year, under the new leadership of Daniel Pitt as Creative Director & Chief Executive.
Daniel joins ODAC from Chisenhale Dance Space in East London, where he has been Director since January 2018, alongside freelance projects including as co-director of outdoor arts project In Your Way. He's worked in programming, producing and executive roles across contemporary performance including co-curating 2018's Roundhouse CircusFest, and more than four years as producer at Cambridge Junction arts centre. He started his career at Crying Out Loud, thanks to the DCMS Jerwood Creative Bursary scheme, where he helped turn Piccadilly Circus into a surprise circus as part of the London 2012 Festival.
On his appointment, Daniel says "Old Diorama has such a long track-record of supporting so many great artists and companies, in spaces across so many different Euston and Regent's Park buildings. Our hundreds of regular studio users know how great the studios are at our permanent base at Regent's Place. I'm excited to work with communities and partners to explore the potential of the centre, and consider what ODAC needs to be now, as part of the recovery of our society, and central London, post-lockdowns."
We're beginning a refreshed phase of development, seeking to build on our role as a hub for making and for the local community, towards new strategic directions. We're just at the beginning of working things out, but we want to hear from you. Daniel is on daniel@olddiorama.com.
We're open again
Since May 17th, we've been doing a 'soft-opening' of our centre, starting with bookings from some of our old regular hirers and partners. We're now fully open, with our studios available for hire seven days a week. We're operating with the usual COVID protocols in place, including reduced capacities with increased cleaning and ventilation. Enquiries and bookings should be made via email on office@olddiorama.com where the team will be happy to help.
While we were closed
Through the lockdowns, we partnered with our landlords at Regent's Place to offer our spaces to a range of local organisations, including Lifeafterhummus Community Benefit Society food bank in our foyer, theatre neighbours Camden People's Theatre and New Diorama Theatre, arts companies Lionbeat and Industry In The Streets, and local young people's charities Action Youth Boxing Intervention and the Mosaic Trust, amongst others. We're delighted that this was possible, and that our spaces were able to put to such great use by these vital organisations and hope to collaborate with many in the future.
More soon…
Over the coming weeks and months, there'll be lots more to say, and lots more invitations to be part of the future of ODAC. Stay in touch, and get in touch.
