Arts at the Centre of the West Lothian Community

The 6 million pound redevelopment of Howden Park Centre has created a landmark destination in West Lothian designed to make everyone - especially young people and their families - feel welcome and comfortable. A place where people can do art, see art and be surrounded by art, whether that is why they have visited or not. The work has been funded by West Lothian Council and a capital lottery grant of 1.3 million pounds from the Scottish Arts Council.

This is the latest in a series of developments that have transformed the former stable block into an arts centre fit for the people of West Lothian in the 21st century.

The first Livingston Art Association exhibition was held in the centre in May/June of 1971. Not long after this the back of the stables was made into a theatre formally opened by actor Andrew Cruikshank on 28 May 1972 when the Livingston Players performed South Pacific. In its first year the building staged 24 conferences to encourage business to 'Make It In Livingston'. The events programme continued to grow and two years later, when Livingston Development Corporation wound up, the exhibition and gallery space were created.

Howden Park Centre was Livinston's only dedicated entertainment centre until the opening of the Almondvale Centre in 1976 with the Forum, a bingo hall and Melville's disco. The Queen visited in 1978 and in the same year both Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera performed. By 1983, when Princess Anne visited, the pattern of performances was established and Livingston had its first What's On magazine. In 1995 the programme included Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham on their first national tour. In 1998 the events brochure had Dougie McLean on the cover and Tocatta Choir celebrated its 20th birthday with a series of concerts. In 2001 the first major refurbishment of the building created the bistro and the box office was computerised for the first time.

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