Lido Renovation
In January 2016, Cork Community Art Link finalised its move to the LIDO Building in Blackpool. In undertaking the refurbishment,considered attention was given to the access needs of diverse users and the functionality of the space in terms of arts and group work processes. Refurbishment processes reflected CCAL’s strong commitment to access and inclusivity in all aspects of its work and the organisation continues to recognise that inclusive arts promote social equality.
In 2016 considerable work has been undertaken on the building’s shell to ensure that it is a vibrant, enticing and welcoming creative space. Particular attention has been given to the use of recycled materials for the development of workshop spaces, offices and the foyer.
In 2016 considerable work has been undertaken on the building’s shell to ensure that it is a vibrant, enticing and welcoming creative space. Particular attention has been given to the use of recycled materials for the development of workshop spaces, offices and the foyer.
Lido Opening
John McSweeney Lido Presentation
Movies Projection
In June 2016 CCAL opened the LIDO building for two weeks of public interaction, creativity and discussion, during which we hosted arts workshops, panel discussions and an exhibition from our photographic and video archives. This was an important exercise in relationship building, community outreach and experimentation with the building at its centre. Our commitment is to the co-creation of the LIDO as a usable and welcoming community resource. Following our move to Blackpool, ‘Our Space, Your Space’, was our first step towards inviting future collaborations and community participation as well as introducing our mode of working to the locality. Actively inviting community members into the building, and engaging them in discussions and workshops established their sense of ownership over the building and its creative future.
Another aim of Our Space, Your Space was to build an informed picture of cultural and social life in Blackpool, past and present. We collected local stories and other vital information that will support the development of What If… Blackpool over the next two years.
Partners and collaborators on ‘Our Space, Your Space’ included local community organisations, such as Blackpool Historical Society, the Cork Folklore Project, Frameworks Films and John McSweeney, author of The Golden Age of Cork Cinemas. The information gathering aspect of the project also provided us with evaluations and recommendations for our practice from participants and partners, past, present and future. These will inform CCAL’s planning and design, its programme of work as well as helping us to instigate new relationships within the community.
As part of the Our Space, Your Space programme, we also temporarily restored the historic LIDO to its former use as a cinema and invited the public to attend four special screenings in collaboration with Frameworks Films. We screened Frameworks productions as well as classic films and invited discussion from the audience, many of whom remembered the LIDO as a cinema at the cultural centre of Blackpool.
Another aim of Our Space, Your Space was to build an informed picture of cultural and social life in Blackpool, past and present. We collected local stories and other vital information that will support the development of What If… Blackpool over the next two years.
Partners and collaborators on ‘Our Space, Your Space’ included local community organisations, such as Blackpool Historical Society, the Cork Folklore Project, Frameworks Films and John McSweeney, author of The Golden Age of Cork Cinemas. The information gathering aspect of the project also provided us with evaluations and recommendations for our practice from participants and partners, past, present and future. These will inform CCAL’s planning and design, its programme of work as well as helping us to instigate new relationships within the community.
As part of the Our Space, Your Space programme, we also temporarily restored the historic LIDO to its former use as a cinema and invited the public to attend four special screenings in collaboration with Frameworks Films. We screened Frameworks productions as well as classic films and invited discussion from the audience, many of whom remembered the LIDO as a cinema at the cultural centre of Blackpool.