Strand Arts Centre

About

Strand Arts Centre occupies a building that has made such an important contribution towards entertaining and educating the people of East Belfast and further afield since 1935. This heritage coupled with its significant architecture and location makes it the perfect place for a not-for-profit arts centre.

In addition to new film releases, the Strand Arts Centre now hosts live theatre and music performances on Screen 2 – the same stage used when the Strand went through a period as a variety theatre in the 1980s attracting top names of the day including Little and Large, The Drifters and many more.

There is a monthly heritage tour with expert projectionist and film enthusiast Alan McClurg. You can hear about the Strand's history, its unique Art Deco architecture (designed by John McBride Neill) and traditional movie theatres. Get behind the scenes to see the workings of both the original 35mm film projector and the new digital projectors.

The Strand has established itself as an essential community hub, including Silver Screenings (classic movies for people aged 60+), Strand Film Makers (a free film course for teenagers and young people), Saturday Minors Film Club and Teenage Kicks Film Club (free weekly educational film screenings), and regular creative workshops based around new film releases. The Strand also houses the NiStars Stage and Media School.

The Strand Arts Centre’s strategy involves the wholesale refurbishment of the building to modernise throughout, providing high specification performing arts spaces including a drama/dance studio, 3 workshop rooms and 2 theatres as well as a cafe, bar/restaurant and gallery space.