News: Good news for Stockton as arts centre announces reopening plans

Good news for Stockton as arts centre announces reopening plans

ARC in Stockton have announced plans that will see the arts centre reopen their doors to the public from Monday 7 September.

The programme will include film screenings in the venue’s cinema, lots of creative activities for adults and young people to take part in, and an exhibition of work created by the people of Stockton and beyond during lockdown.

Tai Chi Workshop

The team at ARC have curated an enticing selection of films as they prepare to turn their projector back on, including Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning Parasite, and David Attenborough’s big-screen climate change documentary A Life on Our Planet. Families can also look forward to discounted screenings suitable for younger audiences every Saturday morning. Daniel Mitchelson, who is responsible for choosing the films that ARC screens said “During lockdown I've caught up on films I missed when they first came out, but it hasn't been quite the same as seeing them on the big screen. That's why I'm really pleased that we can now announce what we have lined up for September. Opening our doors in a safe way is our top priority and we have introduced new seating plans that maintain social distancing, as well as etickets which you can receive via email and simply need to show on your phone when arriving.”

By temporarily removing the seats from ARC’s Theatre the venue is able to restart regular workshops and classes whilst meeting social distancing guidance. ARC’s activity for young people focuses on those who have least opportunity to take part through programmes such as We Are TS18, More Stuff Like This Please, All In Youth and Kaos Kids.

Sessions for over 50s including arts and crafts, ballet pilates, ukulele, tai chi and gentle exercise will also be relocacting to the Theatre. Sonya Curle, Creative Programmes Manager said “We know how much people value coming to ARC to learn from artists, make friends, and stay active. Lots of people have turned to arts activity during lockdown as a way of sharing their experience and staying active and healthy. The return of our workshops and classes is the perfect opportunity for people to reconnect socially in a safe environment and enjoy being creative together.”

ARC’s new exhibition will feature work produced as part of the We ARConnected programme. During lockdown, people were invited to submit artwork created in response to a new theme every fortnight as way of documenting their experiences. The exhibition will celebrate the creativity of communities across the Tees Valley and beyond.

In order to reopen the team at ARC have been making careful plans to ensure their building remains COVID-secure. Measures that the venue have already confirmed will be in place include floor markings and one-way systems, a stricter cleaning schedule, hand sanitiser stations, and socially distanced seating in the cinema and their cafe bar, No 60. E-tickets are also being introduced which are emailed directly to customers upon booking and can be displayed on smart phone screen.

Updated information about ARC’s reopening can be found on their website, www.arconline.co.uk

Opening times

ARC’s building will reopen on Monday 7 September at 10am in line with our revised opening times.

New opening times will be:

Mon 10am - 4pm

Tues 10am - 7pm

Wed - Sat 10am - 10pm

Sun - Closed

What’s On?

Workshops and classes

• Silver Tai Chi Beginners - Mondays at 12.30pm

• Silver Tai Chi Intermediates - Mondays at 2pm

• Silver Shapers - Tuesdays at 10.30am (online)

• Silver Ballet Pilates - Tuesdays at 12pm

• Silver Creative Writing - Tuesdays at 10am (online)

• Silver Creative Arts and Crafts at 10.30am

• Silver ARCulele - Fridays at 1pm (online until Friday 11 September, then in person)

• ARC Film Making - Saturdays at 11am

Cinema

• Military Wives (12A)

o Wed 9 Sep 2pm

o Thu 10 Sep 7.30pm

o Sat 12 Sep 2pm

o Wed 16 Sep 7.30pm

o Thu 17 Sep 2pm

• Parasite (18)

o Wed 9 Sep 7.30pm

o Thu 10 Sep 2pm

o Fri 11 Sep 7.30pm

• Emma (U)

o Sat 12 Sep 7.30pm

o Wed 16 Sep 2pm

o Thu 17 Sep 7.30pm

• Call of the Wild (PG)

o Sat 12 Sep 11am

o Sat 19 Sep 11am

• Portrait of a Lady on Fire (15)

o Fri 18 Sep 7.30pm

o Sat 19 Sep 2pm

o Wed 23 Sep 7.30pm

o Thu 24 Sep 2pm

• Love Sarah (12A)

o Sat 19 Sep 7.30pm

o Wed 23 Sep 2pm

o Thu 24 Sep 7.30pm

• Stage Mother (15)

o Fri 25 Sep 7.30pm

o Sat 26 Sep 2pm

o Wed 30 Sep 7.30pm

o Thu 1 Oct 2pm

• The Truth (PG)

o Sat 26 Sep 7.30pm

o Wed 30 Sep 2pm

o Thu 1 Oct 7.30pm

• David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet

o Fri 2 Oct 7.30pm

o Sat 3 Oct 2pm

• Onward (U)

o Sat 26 Sep 11am

o Sat 3 Oct 11am