# My NAC Story – Nell

We hope that you’re enjoying our #MyNACstory series so far.

In this story 18 year old Nell shares some of her formative moments at the venue.

My relationship with the Norwich Arts Centre began at thirteen, when I accompanied my Dad to various gigs, most of which I was the youngest person in the crowd! I loved the atmosphere that came with the heritage of the building and adored the acoustics of the church architecture.

As I’ve grown up and developed my own music taste, I’ve attended more gigs independently that caught my interest. I’ve discovered artists like Celeste, who I saw as a support act for Rae Morris, but she’s gone on to win the BBC’s Sound of 2020 award. To think I bumped into her in the toilets and she’s now one of my favourite voices! I thrived in the mosh pits for artists like Girli, Lemon Daze and Sports Team. However, since becoming a Young Norfolk Arts member I began to realise how much more is available there.

I’ve now attended drag shows, debates, poetry readings, an audio-visual performance and music development programme. I’ve met so many like-minded individuals where ideas are shared, creativity expressed, and dances danced.

Norwich Arts Centre has been at the core of my creative development, by guiding my learning and observations. For example, the poetry event TOAST inspired me to consider how to convert my own poetry from the page to stage and has provided me with a potential future performance opportunity.

I’m so grateful that I got to appreciate this space before I move to university next and I can’t wait to come back and visit.

Nell