The exhibition will show how poster and brochure design has changed over the 30 years, from home made stencils to modern media. Renowned incidents in the Arts Centre's history will be relived.

Exhibition posters showing work from the many artists that have exhibited at the Arts Centre will be featured including Fay Godwin, Martin Parr, Karen Reilly, Patrick Sutherland, and Mark Mothersbaugh.

Norwich Arts Centre is celebrating its 30th anniversary with an exhibition showing photo’s, posters, flyers and reviews from its unique 30 year history, which has seen huge changes at the treasured venue (originally called Premises) and equally big changes in Norwich itself.

In 1975 a small group of enthusiasts began meeting with the aim of establishing an alternative outlet for both visual and performing arts, a well attended public meeting was held in St Andrews Hall at which the idea of a permanent arts centre was agreed. Two years later in 1977 as much of the nation celebrated The Queen’s Silver Jubilee and others hailed the arrival of punk, Norwich City Council allowed them to occupy a ramshackle old carpet factory on St Benedicts Street. From these humble beginnings Norwich Arts Centre, which has subsequently moved just up the street to its present home, was launched and over the years has played host to many performances and exhibitions by artists who have gone on to greater success.

Current Arts Centre Director Stuart Hobday said ‘Over the years NAC has seen an amazing array of shows from performers who have subsequently gone on to achieve fame.’ He continued ‘We’ve got some truly great stuff including posters signed by Oasis, Cornershop and Matt Lucas and David Walliams. We’ve got things from the very first East Coast Jazz Festival that NAC promoted and photos of our first building, Premises. There are pictures of volunteers clearing the hall at St Swithins just prior to us opening including some that show a young Beth Orton helping out’. Beth Orton’s mother, Christine, was a very active supporter of the Arts Centre.

Other highlights include photos of a very young Chris Martin of Coldplay onstage at NAC and an early flyer for a show by Matt Lucas and David Walliams in pre Little Britain days.

Amongst those who have appeared are bands such as Coldplay, Nirvana, Oasis, Placebo, Muse and The Manic St Preachers as well as blues legends Dr John, Lowell Fulson and Memphis Slim.

Stage performers like Little Britain stars Matt Lucas and David Walliams, TV presenter/author the late Pete McCarthy and top comedians like Jack Dee, Mark Lamarr, Johnny Vegas, Mark Thomas, Frank Skinner, David Baddiel and Rob Newman have all graced the stage over the years.

Former Dr Who star Tom Baker has been spotted in the audience, Hollywood film director/writer Mike Figgis appeared as part of the People Show in the early days, and in Feb 1996 a pre Hollywood stardom Kate Beckinsale, appeared in a Royal Court production of a play called Sweetness at the venue. Obviously her star was in the ascendance as Anglia TV interviewed her for the local news programme!