Pocklington Arts Centre Celebrates 25 Years with a Special Anniversary Exhibition

Pocklington Arts Centre (PAC) celebrated a significant milestone on Thursday 24 April, hosting a special event to mark its 25th anniversary. The evening brought together members of the local community, staff, and volunteers to celebrate the Arts Centre’s rich history and look forward to its exciting future.

Guests were invited to explore a thoughtfully curated exhibition, featuring a nostalgic display of photographs and a timeline of key moments from years gone by, all complimented by a specially commissioned soundscape (funded by ERYC Arts Development) of personal memories, stories, and locally devised responses to what PAC means to the community.

The evening continued with a special performance from community choir Forgotten Voices, who have been rehearsing at PAC for over 15 years. The show took place in the recently refurbished auditorium, which now boasts improved accessibility features and upgraded seating - improvements made possible through funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Those in attendance included long-standing volunteers past and present, many of whom were instrumental in setting up the Arts Centre a quarter of a century ago, and former director Janet Farmer, who was awarded an MBE for services to the Arts in the New Year’s Honours List.

PAC Director Angela Stone said:

"We are thrilled to celebrate this incredible milestone with the people who have shaped and supported the Arts Centre over the last 25 years. We’re incredibly proud of all we’ve accomplished, and this anniversary is just the beginning – we can’t wait to share what’s ahead in what promises to be another very special year.”

The exhibition is the first in a series of celebratory events planned for 2025, with highlights including the Arts Centre’s first Comedy Festival in May and an exciting collaboration with Hull’s Middle Child Theatre for an outdoor immersive theatre experience in June.

PAC is also joining forces with Burnby Hall Gardens for another specially curated art exhibition, this time inspired by their celebrated waterlily collection.

Following a busy autumn season, PAC will once again welcome audiences for its now established Christmas production for family audiences which this year will be called “Jingle all the Way”.

With a strong and diverse line-up, 2025 is set to be one of the Arts Centre’s most exciting years yet, further affirming its value to the local community. Alongside a packed programme of comedy, music, exhibitions, talks, and workshops, patrons now also have the chance to leave their own lasting legacy through the newly launched ‘Sponsor a Seat’ scheme. By dedicating a seat in the beautifully refurbished auditorium, supporters can make a meaningful contribution to Pocklington Arts Centre’s future and become part of its ongoing story.