The centre occupies the site of the former
Aston Hippodrome, which was a major variety theatre between 1908 and 1960. The Aston Hippodrome hosted performances by the likes of
Charlie Chaplin,
Laurel and Hardy,
Judy Garland and
Morecambe and Wise. The building was demolished in 1980, but in 1991
Birmingham City Council set up a project to create a new cultural facility on the site, specifically to reflect the highly diverse culture of the surrounding area. The Drum started hosting events in 1994, the first being an exhibition called
Negritude. In 1996, the singer
Cleo Laine accepted a cheque from the
National Lottery on behalf of The Drum. The Drum Arts Centre was fully opened in 1998 and established itself as the United Kingdom's national centre for
Black British and
British Asian arts. Activities included music, drama, spoken word, exhibitions, visual arts, comedy and dance. In October 2013, during
Black History Month, The Drum was visited by then British Prime Minister
David Cameron, who was shown around the venue by its CEO Charles Small. In 2014, poet
Benjamin Zephaniah and musician
Courtney Pine were made patrons of The Drum, using their influence to help raise funds for a refit of the venue. In 2015, the establishment was approved for its first major renovation and extension since it first opened.
Closure In March 2016 the decision was taken liquidate, amid financial troubles. The announcement to close caused outrage among community representatives and residents. An online community petition to save the venue from closure signed by 3,294 people was unsuccessful. The Drum Arts Centre closed permanently on 30 June 2016. ==Reopening==