Media Release

On April 15th 1971, at precisely 3.45pm the first Board meeting of Cardiff's Chapter Arts centre took place. Thirty years later Chapter celebrates three decades of creativity and innovation and its growth from a deserted school building to one of the major centres for the contemporary arts in Europe.

Local artists, Christine Kinsey and Bryan Jones with journalist Mik Flood first discussed the idea of setting up an Arts Centre for Wales late in 1968. It was a time when anything seemed possible.

Over the next two years they found a home for the centre at the old Canton High School and put in place a series of events to raise money and generate interest in the idea of an arts centre. Working under the title 'The Arts Centre Project Group' this included a 12-hour pop concert in Sophia Gardens with Pink Floyd topping the bill and Black Sabbath and Quintessence in support.

Arts Centres were a new phenomenon in the early 70s. Kinsey, Flood and Jones saw a centre that was unique within Wales and beyond, serving the local community and establishing an environment in which all creative disciplines could be housed under one roof.

Within a short space of time painters, print makers, sculptors, potters, instrument makers and other artists moved into the building. Amateur groups like the South Wales Arts Society and Everyman Theatre Company also joined the centre and the Cardiff Cine Society led the way in the conversion of the old girl's cloakroom into one of the best small cinema spaces in South Wales.

Classrooms were converted into a gallery, the old school hall became a theatre, Moving Being, Cardiff Laboratory Theatre and Paupers Carnival moved in and Chapter became a real focus for both artists and audiences.

Thirty years on, Chapter remains true to the original vision of its founders. A cultural and business success story, it houses many of Wales' best known names in theatre, dance, art and animation, presents over 1000 events a year and works with partners from all over the world.

It has promoted a long list of famous names from film directors Justin Kerrigan and Chris Monger (a former Chapter Board Member) to Turner Prize nominated artists Mona Hartoum and Cornelia Parker, from Oscar-nominated animators Joanna Quinn (who is based at Chapter) and the creator of Wallace and Gromit Nick Park to musicians John Cale and Susan Sontag, from comedians Jerry Sadowitz and Ben Elton to actors Willem Dafoe and former Python star Terry Jones.

Chapter's Director Janek Alexander commented:

"Chapter has operated continuously since 1971. At a time when there is so much uncertainty about major arts projects that's arguably an achievement in itself."

"Fundamentally Chapter has survived because it meets a real need and because artists and the public have responded so positively to the opportunities Chapter has created. The building has never been busier and studios here are more in demand than ever."

"It's the people that make it work. Artists started Chapter, not consultants. We're celebrating thirty years of creativity, all the extraordinary art, films and events that we've promoted. It's fascinating how artists that Chapter discovered and promoted are now in the mainstream."

"People thrive on new ideas and experiences and that's what Chapter promotes."

"Cardiff sees itself increasingly as a European capital. Wales is a very different country to 30 years ago. Part of Chapter's role is to anticipate the future. We're currently investing in digital arts and the Internet - getting the tools and technology into the hands of artists is a real priority." "At the same time we want to create an environment at the Centre where the public can experience all these wonderful new ideas. Chapter is a social place as well as a workplace - you could call it Wales' meeting place for ideas."

ENDS