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Former names | Zion Arts Centre (2000-2012) |
|---|---|
| Address | 335 Stretford Road Hulme, Manchester United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 53°28′00″N 2°15′08″W / 53.4667°N 2.2523°W |
| Operator | CEO: Liz O'Neill |
| Capacity | 230 |
| Public transit | Hulme park bus stop |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1911 |
| Opened | 2000 |
| Website | |
| https://www.z-arts.org/ | |
Z-arts, also known as the Zion Arts Centre, is a children's theatre and arts centre in Hulme, Manchester. Originally built in 1911 as a church, it was reopened in 2000 as an arts centre[1] to offer cultural activities to young people in Hulme, Moss Side and Whalley Range. Z-arts now presents theatre performances and pantomimes aimed at children and familes, in addition to arts activities and an escape room[2].
History
[edit]The Zion institute congregational church was built in 1911 with the funding of Enriqueta Rylands[3], making it one of the oldest buildings in Hulme. Post-war slum clearance in Hulme caused its congregation to decrease in number, falling to 20 people in the 1960s. The rooms were then rented out to various local community projects, before ownership was transferred to Manchester City Council in 1988[4].
In 1981, the building was used as a filming location for Reds by Warren Beatty, as a Chicago hall[5].
In 2010, the centre hosted a photographic exhibition showing photos of Hulme from the 1880s to 1980s. This was organised by students at Manchester Metropolitan University[6].
The Zion Arts Centre marked its centenary in 2011 with performances including a series of amateur historical re-enactments taking the audience through the decades. Visitors could speak to older residents in a 1940s tearoom and explore a 70s punk squat[7]. A research project to mark the centenary received a £49,800 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This project was led by Terry Wyke, the historian in residence at the centre, and engaged over 2000 local residents in the research process.[8]
In 2012, it re-branded to Z-arts with a focus on familes and children. Z-arts is the lead organisation of the Big Imaginations network of venues founded in 2013 supported by Arts Council Engaland[9].
In 2022, Z-arts opened a children's library on its premises.[10] In 2024, it received recognition in the Manchester Culture Awards.[11]
Productions at Z-arts have included Alice in Wonderland[12], The Little Mermaid, The Tiger Who Came to Tea[13] and The Gruffalo. [14]
Facilities
[edit]Z-arts includes a 230-seat theatre, a cafe (Z-café), gift shop, escape room and children's library. [15]
Associated people
[edit]- Luciano Pavarotti rehearsed here in 1969.[16]
- Damien Hirst exhibited his pickled shark in Zion Arts Centre in 2000[16].
- Rudolf Nureyev rehearsed in the Zion studios in November 1968 in preparation for a production of Swan Lake at Manchester Opera House[17].
- Enriqueta Rylands
References
[edit]- ↑ Martin, Rob (2015-01-02). "Z Arts". Time Out Manchester. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ McFarlane, Wolf (2023-03-24). "Z-arts unveils new multi-themed family-friendly escape room". Manchester Wire. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ "The Zion Arts Centre - Stretford Road, Hulme". manchesterhistory.net. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ "'How the UK's only arts centre dedicated to children completely transformed my life'". The Independent. 2026-01-11. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ "BBC - Manchester Have Your Say - Location, location, location". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ "Return of Lost Hulme". Manchester Metropolitan University. 2010-09-28. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ Tyas, Matt (2011-10-05). "Zion Arts Centenary". Manchester’s Finest. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ "Impact case study: Zion Arts Centre". Research Excellence Framework 2014. Manchester Metropolitan University. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Networks & Partners". Z-arts. 2026-09-29. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ Lorenzato-Lloyd, Alice (2023-01-25). "The Tiniest And First Dedicated Children's Library In Manchester That's Filled With The Most Diverse Books". Secret Manchester. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ "Lekhani Chirwa and children's venue Z-arts triumph at Manchester Culture Awards". The Stage. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- ↑ Bourne, Dianne (2025-04-27). "The magical Alice in Wonderland play experience that kids will love in Manchester". www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- ↑ Fielder, Kate (2020-02-07). "Take a look inside The Tiger Who Came to Tea exhibition in Manchester". www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Z-arts Manchester - What's On Guide". ManchesterTheatres.com. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ "Visit | Z-arts | Hulme, Manchester". Z-arts. 2026-09-29. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- 1 2 BBC. "Zion Arts Centre". www.bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ Tyas, Matt (2011-10-05). "Zion Arts Centenary". Manchester’s Finest. Retrieved 2026-09-29.