History
Point Blank grew out of an artist development programme hosted at a tiny studio, under the name the Open Performance Centre in Sheffield. Formed in 1997 Open Performance Centre trained new practitioners (many of which who are now established professionals in their own field) alongside a wide ranging participatory programme.
OPC's aim was to establish a venue and studio space resource to develop artists and widen participation in performance. Point Blank continued this journey focused on a core of associate artists making touring work together as the prospects for a sustainable venue were considered. The decline of new performance coming into and out of South Yorkshire led Point Blank to commit itself more fully to developing infrastructure for the Performing Arts. In 2009 Point Blank purchased bar venue, The Riverside which it operates as a social enterprise with profits going back into developing new performance and the arts.
Point Blank hosts free dinner clubs for practitioners; Performance Republic the network for South Yorkshire performing artists and has developed a portfolio of free and highly subsidised workspaces growing from the region, across the country supporting companies such as Wayne Sables; Third Angel; Instant Dissidence; Geiger Counter; Spilt Milk and Nodding Dog. We are producing new work platforms in South Yorkshire, developing touring infrastructure and enabling new work from our region to achieve its ambitions.
OPC's aim was to establish a venue and studio space resource to develop artists and widen participation in performance. Point Blank continued this journey focused on a core of associate artists making touring work together as the prospects for a sustainable venue were considered. The decline of new performance coming into and out of South Yorkshire led Point Blank to commit itself more fully to developing infrastructure for the Performing Arts. In 2009 Point Blank purchased bar venue, The Riverside which it operates as a social enterprise with profits going back into developing new performance and the arts.
Point Blank hosts free dinner clubs for practitioners; Performance Republic the network for South Yorkshire performing artists and has developed a portfolio of free and highly subsidised workspaces growing from the region, across the country supporting companies such as Wayne Sables; Third Angel; Instant Dissidence; Geiger Counter; Spilt Milk and Nodding Dog. We are producing new work platforms in South Yorkshire, developing touring infrastructure and enabling new work from our region to achieve its ambitions.
