Outburst Arts & Bullitt Hotel 2023
Context
Bullitt Hotel is the place to STAY, PLAY and WORK in Belfast city centre, with an award-winning restaurant, laid back lobby, a rooftop restaurant, bar and garden and even a secret cocktail lounge.
In troubling times for freedom of expression and social justice, Outburst Arts is a safe space for brilliantly dangerous new ideas in queer art that opens hearts and minds to daring collective possibility.
Challenge
Outburst Arts works from an office on Royal Avenue, and does not have its own large, multi-purpose and affordable space in which to gather. The Good Room in Bullitt is a meeting space within the hotel which meets all our criteria. It is spacious, has kitchen and gender-neutral bathroom facilities, and is a discreet space for people who identify as queer and who are visibly queer, to come and go from safely.
Outburst Arts say that Northern Ireland is still one of the most homophobic and transphobic countries in Western Europe, and they know that harassment sadly still takes place on the streets of Belfast. So having a room to use in a city centre location which is discreet and accessible, makes a big difference for many of their young artists and audiences.
‘’To develop our talent here at home, we need to come together. Outburst Arts has an office in the Cathedral Quarter Managed Workspace on Royal Avenue but does not have a ‘venue’ as such, in which to bring people together. We usually hire studio spaces and venues throughout the year to bring people together as part of our Development Programme. To now have access to a city centre location, on a pro-bono basis, in a hotel which has a ‘vibe’ and a ‘feel’ very aligned with the Outburst brand, is invaluable for us, both within our financial spreadsheets, and in relation to the sorts of spaces where we like to bring people together.’’
Sarah Williams, Executive Director, Outburst Arts
Solution
Bullitt Hotel approached Outburst Arts in early 2022, suggesting a conversation to explore a potential partnership. This was based on Bullitt being aware of Outburst Arts and perceiving that there would be a positive alignment of their respective brands. Through discussion, they arrived at the agreement that use of the ‘Good Room’ on a pro-bono basis, would be enormously beneficial for a series of activities, both during the festival season and throughout the year. Bullitt Hotel is also Outburst’s preferred Accommodation Partner for guests, artists and delegates during Outburst’s annual festival.
Results
The Good Room is made available to Outburst Arts for a range of activities, including the ‘Transforming Stages’ preparation sessions in the lead up to the 2022 festival. During the festival, Outburst hosted their ‘Pitch Shifting’ workshops there which gave a platform for the Queer Voice using electronics. Outburst will also use the space as a ‘Festival Green Room’ for international delegates staying in the hotel in the lead up to, and over the course of the 2023 Festival. Outside of the festival period, the Good Room has been host to Outburst’s board meetings, as well as being an excellent relaxed venue for their Salon Series which is an open public gathering every six weeks to explore, challenge and expand ideas in queer art and culture.
The versatility of the room is wonderful, offering a beautifully designed and welcoming space.
"Here at Bullitt Hotel, working with and supporting the local arts community in Northern Ireland is something which we are very passionate about. We are always looking at ways in which we can work with different organisations within the arts community as we understand their importance and contribution to the culture of Northern Ireland. We have been privileged to work alongside and support Outburst Arts over the past year in providing them a venue to use to carry out many of their different events and accommodation. We look forward to building upon this partnership and supporting them for many years to come however we can, to ensure they can continue to support and deliver for the LGBTQ+ community of Northern Ireland. "
Chris Patterson, Event Manager, Bullitt Hotel.