It is hard to believe that it’s 10 years since the old Victorian swimming pool at St Edward’s School in Summertown was converted into an arts centre – and I am happy to report that The North Wall is still making a splash!

Over the decade it has become one of Oxford’s most exciting venues for new and innovative work by playing host to outstanding touring companies such as ATC, Out of Joint, Bush Theatre and Shared Experience, while also creating first rate in-house shows.

Some of the big names who have appeared there include Sarah Millican, Harry Hill, Julian Clary, Ralph McTell, and The Unthanks.

Moreover, its good work has not only been confined to the performances on offer to theatregoers –it has also been committed to providing support and opportunities for emerging artists of all disciplines. Its facilities to do so are exceptional, featuring not only a theatre but a drama studio, dance studio and art gallery. This investment in talent is not only beneficial to The North Wall itself but sows the seeds for a healthy future for the arts in this country as a whole.

Among the projects it has instigated is the ArtsLab programme, which provides free opportunities for people aged 18-25 who want to make a career in the arts. This began in 2007, and originally focussed on actors, but over the years has broadened out to encompass directors, actors, dancers, singers, designers and musicians.

The concept is that young artists are matched with a professional company, which leads the residencies while at the same time working on new shows. Two shows that came out of this process that I thought were exceptionally outstanding were Song of Riots and Fast Track.

Last year it was run by OperaUpClose, which worked with designers, singers and musicians to create a new version of Bluebeard’s Castle.

The North Wall also runs a project at Easter for writers and directors to work with professionals on new scripts. This year the showcase will be part of Alchymy, their first ever festival of new plays.

To find more information about this opportunity go to: thenorthwall.com/whats-on/alchymy/

Lastly, but certainly not 'leastly', the gallery has become a principal venue to showcase work by local arts collectives, such as Oxford Printmakers, Oxford Photographic Society, and the Oxford Sculpture Group, and individual artists from the local community and from all over the world. This year I am particularly looking forward to Adrian Brooks’ Travel Theatres – featuring 3D model theatres which stage miniature versions of works by authors such as CS Lewis and Phillip Pullman. Another exhibition to look out for is Hatched 2017, part of the Oxford International Women’s Festival, and as in previous years, they will be one of galleries on Oxfordshire Art Weeks route.

We all wish The North Wall Arts Centre a very happy 10th birthday. I am looking forward to enjoying what they have on offer for at least the next decade.

Oxford Times art critic Angie Johnson, from Wytham, has been a playwright, theatre reviewer, broadcaster, and writer on the arts since 1995.