Accidental Theatre (NIC101894), is a Belfast-based arts venue founded in 2012. In 2017, Accidental started redeveloping 12-13 Shaftesbury Square. The three-storey neo-Georgian brown brick building owned by Northern Bank for over 100 years, in a recognised priority area for urban regeneration in the most divisive and diverse area in Northern Ireland. This iconic building in Belfast laid empty for over a decade. One of the most recognisable and prominent buildings in the area, it has become, under our stewardship, to address the chronic underfunding of the arts in Northern Ireland, and has become a focal point for redeveloping the arts sector in Belfast.
From vacant to vibrant, we created a 100-seat theatre, shared workspaces, rehearsal space, meeting rooms and an industry-leading digital and broadcasting space. All with very little external investment, but with a lot of work and fantastic community support.
Accidental responds to the needs of our city by:
Offsetting the financial burden on artists;
Promote sector sustainability in the region through digital technology innovations;
Championing under-represented artists (global majority, LGBQTI+);
Ensuring that all communities can participate in civic life through artistic events;
Providing affordable access to a wide range of events catering disadvantaged communities.
The area used to be referred to as the Golden Mile, referring to the theatres, cinemas and nightlife but after decades of decline it’s a shadow of it’s former cultural significance. The redevelopment of the whole area, a recognised area of deprivation and urban renewal target, is long overdue.
Through our work & the purchase of the building we aim to ensure the future of this community asset and the grassroots work for artists & communities we will engage in for generations to come. Through the restoration of the building we aim to bring civic pride back to a neglected area of Belfast, creating a new golden age for the former Golden Mile.
YOUR ROLE
In late 2024, we were awarded £516,000 from the Community Ownership Fund, towards the purchase of the building. This will allow us to secure this vital asset for the community, support the artistic, cultural and community ecosystem, and use art as a vehicle to heal divisions and strengthen civic bonds.
If we don’t get this support everyone will lose out. Many artists, both established and emerging, will lose vital support to build their career and livelihoods in our small city. Artists of the next generation will be lost. Making our city a more culturally enriching place to be and visit. Communities on the margins will lose out, as they will not have access to a safe space in one of the most social and culturally tense and deprived areas in Belfast. They will lose the opportunity to mix in meaningful ways, or to access work opportunities, build livelihood or participate in civic life.
A FEW ACHIEVEMENTS
2023 & 2024 Social Value Engine score of £4.12 per £1 spent with a particularly high score across Sustainable Development Goals of good health and well-being and reduced inequalities;
Over 97 Public Performances per year | 65% of these also available online;
Helping artists build international audiences with 17% of online sales coming from outside NI;
Accidental are leading digital innovators, providing support to artists and arts organisations alike, offering more digital events than any other venue across the city;
Through digital work we’ve some of the widest reach of an organisation our size, with audiences as far away as Australia watching events regularly;
IMPACT
Currently we reach 12,000+ event attendees and 4,500+ workshop participants per year, through our general work and Arts for All programme. With an additional 750 artists per year supported through our Artist Development and Across Cultures programmes.
WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TOLD US
“Accidental has helped me achieve growth in my career.”
“Accidental has been a lifeline to me.”
“Accidental really helped me get my work out there and beyond the city too.”
“Accidental has given me support to reach a global audience.”
“Accidental has been an important part of the artistic and performance landscape of the city.”
“Accidental understands the incredible challenges we face here.”
“Accidental has been a source of so many first productions of new works by new and established playwrights and performers. Many have gone on to be restaged for longer runs elsewhere.”
For many respondents from diverse communities, Accidental is "a second home”. When asked, people anticipated a decline in their mental wellbeing, loneliness and isolation through the loss of community connections and friendships if Accidental were to close.
“Accidental has allowed me to connect with others and boost my self confidence in social situations, I feel part of my community now.”
“Accidental has given me an opportunity to feel part of the community.”
“A safe place to be in Belfast.”
“Every time I have been it has made me happier.”
“[Accidental’s] contribution to the cultural vibrancy and identity of Belfast [is huge], offering unique and alternative experiences that enrich the city’s cultural landscape.””
“Accidental events helps me feel part of my community.”
“I moved to Belfast in April 2023, Accidental has allowed me to meet people and start building a social life here.”
Respondents highlighted the broader community impact of Accidental, including its role in promoting cultural diversity, supporting local artists and facilitators, access to experimental work that is fresh and new and unlike elsewhere in the city, and revitalising the local area.