Bluecoat Chambers

Infobox Historic building


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name=Bluecoat Chambers
location_town=Liverpool
location_country=ENG
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construction_start_date=1716
completion_date=
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style=Queen Anne styleThe Bluecoat in Liverpool, England, is the oldest building in the city centre. It was built c.1717 in the Queen Anne style to house a school for poor children. The school, then known as The Liverpool Blue Coat School, moved to new premises in 1906, but the building was preserved as an arts centre owing to its cultural significance, and has survived the growth of the city around it, tucked in just a few metres away from the shopping district. In 1911, a significant and controversial Post-Impressionist exhibition took place, including works by Picasso, Matisse, Cezanne, and Van Gogh and the first ever UK exhibition of these artists outside London [ [http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-life/liverpool-lifestyle/2008/03/08/history-at-its-heart-100252-20576370/ History at its heart] ] .

After a £12.5 million pound refurbishment and the construction of a new arts wing, comprising 4 galleries and a performance studio, the Bluecoat re-opened on 15 March 2008. As part of the 2008 European Capital of Culture, the Bluecoat is planning an appearance by world-famous experimental artist Yoko Ono.

The Bluecoat is a cultural hub for Liverpool. Visitors experience art from creation through to consumption. The Bluecoat is home to a range of creative industry, artists and retail tenants as well as a restaurant-bar and espresso 'grab and go'.

External links

* [http://www.thebluecoat.org.uk Home page]
* [http://www.merseycards.co.uk/cards/bluecoat.html Picture of the building in which the Bluecoat is located]
* [http://www.catalystmedia.org.uk/issues/nerve4/articles/bluecoat.htm Article from Liverpool's 'Nerve' magazine]
* [http://www.liverpoolworldheritage.com/lowerdukestreet.asp History of Duke St area with description of Bluecoat chambers]

References