about us...
Not many towns the size of Pocklington have a multi-purpose arts centre. Ours has first class facilities for showing major films, a fully equipped 200 seat theatre for live music and drama - both professional and amateur, and a studio which doubles as an exhibition space.

The building has a bar and catering facilities, a lift, disabled access and sound loop. This means it can also provide excellent facilities for business conferences. We have tourist information on display, and some excellent pubs and restaurants nearby.

where are we...
We are situated in the East Riding of Yorkshire, just 10 miles east of the Roman and Viking city of York. On the A1079 (either from York to Hull, or Hull to York, there are three sign posts for Pocklinton, any will do - they all bring you to the centre of Pocklington where the Pocklington Arts Centre is situated. For a details map and directions please click here.

what you say...

Barry Cryer...
"What a pleasure"

Steve Harley - Musician & BBC Radio Two presenter
"Pocklington was a surprise package. 200 people, full to capacity, and the knowledge that it could have sold out twice over gave me a good feeling. I cannot remember having more fun in a performance in my whole career. Laugh? I nearly bought the place a round... Two, maybe even three shows next time at that very special venue. "

Hull Daily Mail
"One of the region's most thriving arts centres…"

Chris Wade - Adastra, Britain's premiere agency for live music and entertainment
"Pocklington Arts Centre deserves to be counted as one of the most popular small Arts Centres in this country. All the Adastra artists that have performed there have without fail, sung its praises, and those of its very friendly staff. It's one of our favourites!"

The Journal
"It's a small venue with a big reputation… Pocklington Arts Centre is succeeding in putting a small East Yorkshire town on the map"

The Talk
"The region's best medium concert venue... Pocklington Arts Centre has a reputation for punching above its weight, attracting internationally renowned acts..."


The Sandman
"...what a great venue Pocklington Arts Centre is, it's extraordinary a venue of such calibre can found in such a small town."

 

Ralph McTell - Ivor Novello Award & BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winning musician
"Thank you all for such a warm welcome - and a great gig. Just when you think you've been everywhere."

Kathryn Williams - Mercury Prize nominated singer-songwriter
"Thank you for having us here. You have all been smiley, lovely, friendly helpful people. We had a great night."

Midge Ure - Former UltraVox frontman and Band-Aid/Live-Aid/Live 8 campaigner
"A fab night."

Iain Archer -Ivor Novello award-winning singer-songwriter
"Had a great gig, thanks for looking after us all, Pocklington we will return!"

Kiki Dee
"A well-kept secret is this place. Loved it!!!"

Ric Sanders - member of Fairport Convention
"Looking forward to coming to this great venue again."

Michal Roach, Director European Blus Association
“I inquired through several contacts to find a venue in the North that was suitable for one of our 'Acoustic Blues Weekend' music teaching programmes. Our plan was to find a venue close to our members in the North of England that could also draw in participants from Scotland as well. After 5 years, we found that not only does the venue attract our Northern members, it appeals to all our members. Above all, it's the staff that makes it so special - led by Janet and ably assisted by James. It was once suggested that we find a location in a city centre that has more capacity to draw from a wider catchments area. I replied that we found everything we could ask for in Pocklington.”


history...
Pocklington Arts Centre was set up in February 2000 following an intensive period of fundraising to support the funds provided by Pocklington Town Council to purchase and refurbish the former Ritz cinema. Sunday, 30th April 2000 was the day when the Pocklington Arts Centre was opened officially, and, since February of that year thousands of people have enjoyed the facilities and services it provides. The Arts Centre offers a mixed programme of Film, Music, Drama, Dance, Lectures, Workshops and Exhibitions. It also provides conference facilities and hire opportunities for business and is also used regularly by local charities and community groups. The objective of Pocklington Arts Centre is to break-even, as a not-for-profit organisation, and indeed operates independently of Pocklington Town Council.





The local community is heavily involved in the management and operation of the venue, principally through the Friends of Pocklington Arts Centre (a registered charity) and there is a stated aim to involve as many people as possible in the area as participants. Thus, the Friends of Pocklington Arts Centre provide staffing for box office, auditorium duties and leaflet distribution.

The aim of Pocklington Arts Centre is to offer a broad-based programme of visual and performing arts to the rural area. One of the main themes of Pocklington Arts Centre is "accessible arts". Live-events programmes are developed three times per annum and film programmes are put together on a six weekly basis. In both cases an attempt is made to balance popular arts with more culturally diverse events. Live-events consist of a mixture of drama (with both local groups and professional companies being promoted), music (classical, jazz, folk and popular), poetry, comedy, dance and children's theatre. The studio facility allows a range of exhibitions and workshops and there have been a number of successful exhibitions by professional and amateur artists including local schools and community groups.