Aims and Objectives

aims

The Centre aims to establish a unique place as an international centre specialising in mask, mime, puppetry and physical theatre. The Centre will eventually house a theatre, interactive museum, and education institute with professional design workshops. Its policy is to create greater opportunities for children and families to become involved with one of the most ancient and popular art forms, and to encourage involvement in cultural animation projects, based on public participation and cultural democracy. The Centre has a strong commitment to social issues, access, outreach and education work.

objective

The Centre has consolidated its base on a number of fronts. It is concentrating on establishing a firm administrative base. The artistic remit is broad, but given the nature of the current puppetry audience, work centres on children, family and school groups. This is by no means to the exclusion of other areas, artistically, nationally or internationally. An essential part of the Centre's remit is to broaden the knowledge, familiarity, understanding and enjoyment of puppetry for all.

history

The Centre was founded in 1981 as The Garret at 39b Otago Street, Glasgow by Malcolm Knight. Between 1981-84, in collaboration with the Scottish Puppet Festival Association, the Centre played a central role in organising puppet festivals. In 1985 the Centre was incorporated as a charitable trust with the longer term aims of establishing a 250 seat theatre, interactive museum, and alternative education institute. Funding during this period came from The Manpower Services Commission, Glasgow District Council, The Scottish Arts Council, and the Carnegie UK Trust.

In 1989 the Centre moved to its current site at Balcarres Avenue with the support of a 99-Year Lease from Glasgow City Council. The new base was converted into an 80-seat studio theatre, cafe, exhibition space, production & design workshops, stores and office complex with visitor accommodation. In November 1989 the new building hosted the Soviet-British UNIMA Conference funded by New Beginnings Ltd. During 1990 Glasgow was the European City of Culture, and the new Centre launched a year-round programme of events, exhibitions, training courses and workshops from England, Europe, Russia and India.

In December 1990 at a special symposium in Bilbao, the International Federation of Centres for Puppetry Arts was formed, and Malcolm Knight was elected as its first President (to network the 16 key centres from Venezuela to Moscow).

In 1991 the Centre became part of an official Twinning Exchange with the Rostov-on-Don State Puppet Theatre who performed 'The Gingerbread Boy' and 'Teremok' in Glasgow, while Malcolm Knight and Mike Gonzalez produced an adaptation of 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' with rod puppets in Rostov.

During the 1990's the Centre continued to maintain a year-round programme of Saturday shows, international masterclasses, and workshops for schools and community organisations. Visiting companies have included Taccedin Diker (Turkey), The Krishnaleela Tour (India), Yiannis Dayakos (Greece), The Oregon Puppet Theatre (USA), Eugenios Spatharis (Greece), Baul Teatro (Mexico), Asep Sunandar Sunarya (Java). Mask workshops have included Adriano Iurissevitch (Italy); Ninian Kinnier-Wilson, Sally Brookes, Phil Clarke (England); and Nohzin Suzuki (Japan).

In 1995 Malcolm Knight forged a new educational partnership with Anniesland College, and wrote and implemented a two year Higher National Diploma foundation training programme. The Centre has acted as a Field Centre for this teaching and to date seventy students have graduated. Each year 12-16 students are admitted to the programme. The Course has attracted students from Italy, Germany, Belgium, Denmark and Norway to date in addition to those from the UK. The age range for the course extends from 17-80 years. The Centre has also maintained close links with The University of Glasgow Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies and The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. The Centre is now widely recognised as a major U.K. research training and demonstration resource in the developing field of masks, puppets and performing objects.

The Centre has also acquired significant Documentation and Collection resources over the past twenty years including: The Miles Lee International Collection of Puppets and Marionettes (1986); the Magic of Masks and Puppets Collection Touring Exhibition, and The Caricature Theatre Collection from Wales donated by Jane Phillips (2001). The Reference Library and Audio-Visual Archive has been created by Malcolm Knight, and is fully equipped with an broadband system to facilitate research and links to parallel sites. In 2005 we launched a new world-wide book service to puppeteers and puppet centres courtesy of Ray Da Silva called Personae - Maskand Puppet Books. The Centre is now moving forward to establish a museum and international study centre.

current

The Centre is now seeking to consolidate both capital and revenue support for the existing building and its staff. A feasibility study is being undertaken into establishing a larger theatre, international study centre and living museum on site. Our aim is to recognise and assist the entire sector: individuals and companies, festivals, and building-based organisations.

future

At present the Board of Management is initiating a new Building Development Project to transform the existing site. The aim is to purpose build a modern European-scale mask and puppet theatre with 250 seats, and an interactive Museum on two levels with new cafe, foyer and box office facilities.

mission statement

To maintain the sustainable growth and development of the SMPC as a permenant theatre, museum and education institute at local, regional, national and international levels by the quality of our work combined with forward planning, exemplory partnerships, training incentives, creative projects, intercultural exchanges and in the interests of promoting cultural democracy and access for the common weal of Scotland.