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The beginning…. By 2012, many artists we knew, were struggling to survive. Especially, early-career artists. We responded. We created our first Artistic hub and dedicated programme, ‘Flight Risk’, offering artists rehearsal and performance space, marketing and technical support. Artists were also given support through programmes, such as Scratch Nights. Here, they could bring a piece of work to an audience to test, advance progress, and build a following. 

We wanted to do more…

In 2017, in response to the ongoing significant lack of sectoral support for artists in our community, we took over the old Northern Bank at 12-13 Shaftesbury Square. We converted it into a 100-seat fringe theatre, shared workspace (including performance venue and rehearsal space), allowing us to support an even broader range of people, from artists to small start-up creative organisations and freelancers across our widest community to build their practice, and livelihood. We were excited to embed in a highly diverse community as we recognised the power of art in bringing communities together and the opportunities there to celebrate cultural expression. By offering support and providing a home for all, overtime we became a refuge for a diverse range of communities. We brought footfall to an area that had been declining, supporting other businesses in the area. We were doing all we could, but we were primarily self-funded. 

We could still do more… through digital technology.

By 2020, we had already been experimenting with live-streaming events to maximise the limited opportunities that existed for artists in our small region. We recognised that consumer trends were constantly changing and that the need to innovate the sector was imminent. Mindful of the vital role technology would play, we began experimenting.

Then COVID-19 hit. 

We’d already been live-streaming events pre-COVID-19, supporting artists to take work beyond the physical venue. With COVID-19 stepped up our game. We created Accidental TV. We built a recording studio. We offered video production services to support arts organisations to reach new audiences for one event or whole festivals. We helped NI artists showcase artistic work to the world, to reach wider audiences, building support for their work. We developed the Belfast Method and digital collaboration method that connected us with engineers and artists around the world. The future was here. 

And now…

15 years on from the initial seed of Accidental, whilst so much has changed, the one thing that hasn't is our commitment to our community. During our time in operation, the fabric of our community has become even more diverse. We have responded by ensuring groups within our diverse community have a voice and a say in programming. We are very excited by the positive impact we have already seen at the community level and we are looking forward to making a real difference into the future. Always moving forward, in 2023, we launched Accidental Books, our literary wing to support writers in the community.

Join us in our vision by supporting us if you can, however that may be. Belfast is our community and we want Belfast to be a city that supports all it’s citizens to be able to get work, to support their families by using their gifts, talents and expertise, rather than see it go elsewhere. We hope artists can sustain their livelihoods, no longer depending on local audiences but reaching global ones from their home turf. 

Arts belongs to all of us, and we hope our little theatre will always be a refuge and home to everyone, a space of self-expression and belonging for all.