A YEAR of celebrations is planned to mark the 20th birthday of The Point, Eastleigh’s renowned dance space, theatre and creative hub.

After two decades of innovative work that have placed The Point on the artistic map as a cultural destination, the venue is now preparing for the next 20 years.

But first, staff, performers, patrons, supporters and the public will celebrate throughout 2016.

Plans are under way for A Madhatter’s Tea Party in June and a birthday gala celebration in October, as well as a project to digitally embed theatre seats with personal stories of the venue’s history.

Twenty new pieces of dance, theatre and aerial theatre from acclaimed artists have been commissioned and patrons old and new are being encouraged to share their stories of The Point.

An Open Space series has also been launched, which allows the public to step into the rehearsal room and watch the development of artists’ work while they are in residence in The Point’s Creation Space.

Owned and operated by Eastleigh Borough Council, The Point was established in 1997 with one of the first National Lottery grants in Eastleigh’s former town hall.

Beginning as a venue focusing solely on dance and youth theatre, it has progressed into an all encompassing centre for the arts, including an annual film festival, and has welcomed national treasures such as John Cleese and Tony Benn.

From renowned choreographer Hofesh Schecter dancing around the foyer for a Daily Echo reporter to local builders taking their very first dance class.

And from Basque refugees returning for The Los Ninos Project to parents emotionally watching on as their children take centre stage in the dance and disability performance. There have been so many special moments over the years.

In its 20-year history, The Point has seen four artistic directors – Mary Dawson, Gregory Nash, Sarah Brigam and currently Owen Calvert-Lyons.

2014 saw the inauguration of Eastleigh’s very first Film Festival, helmed by The Point in association with Eastleigh Borough Council.

Site-specific in nature, the six day event saw the Swan Shopping Centre flooded with zombies during a showing of George A. Romero’s seminal horror Dawn of the Dead, and coveted film journalist Danny Leigh present the opening of three iconic movies: The Shining, The Fly and Les Diaboliques.

The Creation Space opened in 2009. As part of The Point’s phase3 developments the new creative hub was opened by world-renowned choreographer Akram Khan – a dancer who developed one of his first dance pieces at The Point – and saw an opera singer singing from the rooftop in eccentric weather.

The Point began as a youth theatre and dance venue and today it hosts a welcomed annual Film Festival, National Theatre Live, a Creation Space that houses artists from all disciplines and a sister venue; The Berry Theatre.

To become a part of the celebrations, share your personal Point story by email at creativeeastleigh@eastleigh.gov.uk.