THE CITADEL ARTS CENTRE

Waterloo Street, St Helens, WA10 1PX

The Citadel was opened in April 1988 by Richard Luce MP, Minister for the Arts who subsequently singled it out as an example of good practice in the Arts sector. It quickly developed a good reputation and was voted top music venue in the 1991 Liverpool Post and Echo Arts Awards. The Citadel became a Company Limited by Guarantee with an independent board in 1992.

By the end of 1995 the Citadel had become an annual revenue client of North West Arts Board and acquired Charitable Status. After careful appraisal of its market it began developing its own Artistic Programme in consultation with its funders, moving towards a mix of bought in products covering a variety of art forms, education and outreach work projects and community Arts.

In March 2000 the Citadel reopened after an extensive refurbishment with an eclectic music programme and followed this with the launch of 'Hands On' the Citadel's vibrant community arts programme in 2001. The Citadel celebrated its fifteenth birthday in 2003 with Johnny Vegas becoming patron and the Citadel was voted one of The Independent's top ten jazz and blues venues in 2004.

What's On at The Citadel Arts Centre?