Charitable legacies: The time to act is now

Hand drawn vector illustration of charitable symbols
18 Apr 2023

In the next 30 years, a record £5.5 trillion is set to be transferred between generations, as either inheritance or gifts. Michelle Wright thinks legacy giving is a neglected area of fundraising.

The Watermill: Life outside the National Portfolio

Watermill theatre
18 Mar 2024

A year after losing ACE funding, Berkshire's Watermill Theatre has had some sweet successes. Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive Claire Murray charts the downs and ups of a rollercoaster year. 

Watermill receives extra £20k from local trust

14 Feb 2024

Greenham Trust has granted £20k of match funding to Watermill Theatre to help “secure the future work” of the former Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation.

The support is being offered via a fundraising alliance established by Greenham Trust to support the Newbury venue following its 100% ACE funding cut announced in November 2022.

The alliance, which also includes The Headley Trust, the Bernard Sunley Foundation and Englefield Charitable Trust, has provided £78k of funding to the 200-seat theatre, pledged to match public donations to Watermill’s PROPEL campaign.

“As soon as we heard about the funding cut by [ACE], we realised there would be a need to engage a number of local funders...in helping The Watermill," said Chris Boulton, CEO of Greenham Trust.

"This was quickly put together working with their team, and I hope our £20k contribution so far will generate another matched-funding boost for their already successful PROPEL Campaign.”

Claire Murray, Executive Director at Watermill Theatre, added: “By establishing the funding alliance, Greenham Trust has gone further in securing the future work of The Watermill."

Use philanthropy to increase arts funding, says Robertson

Scotland's Culture Secretary Angus Robertson
23 Jan 2024

Scotland’s Cultural Secretary Angus Robertson says exploring new funding streams in addition to government funding, and working closely with local authorities, will be key for the future of the sector.

Finding fundraising focus amid the turbulence

Graffiti on a brick wall reading 'Together We Create'
10 Jan 2024

At the start of 2024, Michelle Wright offers her expert advice about where to focus your fundraising energies in a climate of uncertainty.

Legacy income 'growth area for arts charities'

View inside the Royal Opera House
21 Dec 2023

Only five arts and culture organisations feature among the top 1,000 UK charities by legacy income, but experts highlight potential for significant growth in this field. 

Peter Kay shows raise £80,000 for Bolton theatre

11 Dec 2023

Bolton Octagon has raised £80,000 after comedian Peter Kay performed three fundraising shows at the venue on Sunday (10 December).

Kay, who hails from Bolton, was a member of the Octagon's youth theatre and worked in the box office for around four months in the 1990s - before being "let go".

Kay thanked the audiences of the 390-seat venue for “coming and supporting a very worthy cause."

Octagon Chief Executive Roddy Gauld told the BBC the event would give the venue "a big boost" and help to keep ticket prices down.

"Running a theatre like this is tough right now," he said.

"Costs have risen, as they have for every business and every household. And as people have less money to spend, that trip to the theatre might be something that they decide to cut down on at the moment.

"So having a big draw like Peter Kay makes a massive difference."

Fundraiser to save Coventry venue backed by artists

11 Dec 2023

An appeal to save a Coventry arts venue at risk of closure has received the support of big-name artists who have donated their work to the cause.

The founders of Commonground, an accessible venue that hosts live music and exhibitions, say they need to raise £12,000 to keep the doors open until the new year. The building's current running costs are met by their savings, personal loans and refreshment sales.

Prints of works by artists, including 2011 Turner Prize nominee George Shaw and photographer Richard Sadler are being offered as rewards to those who donate to the appeal. 

"Our community has come to our rescue and offered artworks for us to use as incentives to donate," said Kate Rossin and John Randle.

The pair say they have a financial plan for 2024, with "new funding options" and a programme of events. 

Norwich theatre revives £5m revamp plans

06 Dec 2023

Plans to improve facilities at Norwich Theatre Playhouse are back on the table after they were previously shelved due to the Covid pandemic.

The Eastern Daily Press reports that the Norfolk venue wants to upgrade its backstage facilities and create more indoor space.

Stephen Crocker, Chief Executive and Creative Director of Norwich Theatre said: “The project is being drawn up at the moment, and we hope to be able to share more in May next year, including designs and any funding plans. 

“It is likely there will be a public appeal, as we know many people love the Playhouse and want to see it thrive."

Community campaign to reopen Somerset theatre gathers pace

05 Dec 2023

A campaign group hoping to reopen a theatre in Somerset says it has been given backing from the local community.

The BBC reports that Let's Buy The Amulet campaign recently carried out a survey to gauge public opinion on purchasing the Shepton Mallet venues, revealing that the response was "overwhelmingly positive".

The building was used as a theatre after being built in 1974 but went into private ownership in 2011. The campaign group wants it to operate as a museum, theatre, and cinema, as well as host craft markets and art workshops.

Martin Berkeley, from the campaign, said: "We would hope that some shows could still go on there, but its value is as a community centre."

The group is working on an application for funding from the government's Community Ownership Fund, which it hopes to submit in spring 2024.

 

 

 

‘Hazardous substance risk’ behind museum closure

01 Dec 2023

A museum was prevented from reopening after a health and safety inspection discovered  "hazardous substances risks", according to a heritage organisation.

The Wirral Transport Museum and Tramway was closed on 20 April by Wirral Council following an inspection by the Office of Road and Rail (ORR), which found “significant contraventions of health and safety law” both in the building and in the procedures of how the museum and tramline operated.

Big Heritage,  which finalised its takeover of the museum on 17 November from the Wirral Council, said that the closure had been an "inconvenience, but no inconvenience supersedes public safety and the risk to life of visitors and volunteers".

In a statement, Big Heritage said: "We have every sympathy with volunteers and visitors who have been frustrated at this situation.

"But we can attest that Wirral Council took the results of the inspection very seriously and have spent considerable time and resources to address the issues raised as quickly as possible."

The company said procedures had been implemented to monitor and record a range of health and safety and control of hazardous substances risks. It added that a model railway donated 20 years ago has been removed from display as it posed a serious fire risk.

Big Heritage has announced plans to raise over £5m to transform the museum and double its size.

A Wirral Council spokesperson told the BBC: "Ahead of the transfer of the building, there were several issues identified by the council and the ORR report that needed to be addressed and which required the facility to remain closed so the work could be carried out safely.

"The security and upkeep of the building is now in the hands of Big Heritage CIC, while the council-owned heritage trams are on loan to them, with specific contractual requirements around their safety, security and maintenance.

"The council is committed to providing ongoing support to all parties with an interest in the future success of the Wirral Transport Museum."
 

Spending down: Opportunity or risk?

Calculator on phone while person does finance, business, audit and accounts
15 Nov 2023

In spending down their assets, trusts and foundations are making a strategic change of direction which could pose a threat to the charity sector, says Ben Wilson.

Exclusive: Donor revenue for cultural sector falls by a quarter

The exterior of the Royal Opera House
02 Nov 2023

The amount of money being donated to UK cultural organisations dropped sharply last year.

Charity seeks support for musician development programme

01 Nov 2023

A talent development organisation has launched a fundraising appeal to support the next generation of jazz musicians.

The Tomorrow’s Warriors charity aims to raise £100,000 through its #IAMWARRIOR appeal to help sustain its free-to-access Young Artist Development and Emerging Artist Programmes. 

Music Week reports that the organisation relies on the support of funding and donations to continue to deliver its learning programmes that provide music education to the next generation of jazz musicians, with a focus on young women and those from diverse and low-income backgrounds. 

Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective are among jazz musicians to have previously benefitted from the programme.

DJ and broadcaster Gilles Peterson said: “Tomorrow's Warriors occupies a unique and vital space in our cultural landscape. Their work in helping positively shape future generations is of critical importance, especially in light of the tribulations we currently face." 

Former NPO’s fundraiser enjoys sell-out run

16 Oct 2023

A theatre that lost its regular funding from Arts Council England (ACE) has finished a sell-out run of a musical aimed at securing its future.

The Watermill Theatre in Newbury, Berkshire, lost £464,000 of funding when ACE announced it was not part of its refreshed National Portfolio last November.

For the last twelve weeks, the venue has staged its largest scale production to date - an immersive production of Lord of the Rings, performed across a stage in the auditorium and a stage in the gardens.

The venue says it sold more than 17,000 tickets with almost half bought by first-time visitors.

Executive Director Claire Murray told the BBC the success has allowed the theatre to “look to the future with confidence”.

“As we move forward without statutory funding, it's vital that we explore how we can grow our income and reach more people.

“This is the beginning of a new chapter for The Watermill, and I'm pleased to say the success of The Lord of The Rings and the support we've had from audiences over these last few months, allows us to make exciting plans and look to the future with confidence.”

Ticketmaster agrees fundraising drive for Music Venues Trust

12 Oct 2023

Ticketing giant Ticketmaster is launching a charity upsell option to support Music Venues Trust (MVT).

For one month starting 17 October, to coincide with MVT’s annual Venues Day, anyone buying a ticket on Ticketmaster will be given the option to donate directly to the music charity.

Ticketmaster has agreed to run the initiative annually and is pledging to match all donations received.

MVT CEO Mark Davyd told IQ the upsell will provide a practical method for fans to support grassroots music venues.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Ticketmaster team for putting it in place,” he added.

“Ticketmaster matching all fan donations is a powerful message for the whole industry about the support our sector needs and the will of the music community to provide it.”

This year, MVT’s Venues Day will be marked with an event at London’s The Fireworks Factory, inviting delegates from across the UK’s grassroots music venue sector to workshops, discussions and presentations.

The event offers support to people running grassroots venues and connects them with services that can help them.

Last week, MVT announced the first acquisition under its Own Our Venues scheme, aiming to safeguard the future of grassroots music venues through a community ownership initiative.

Vagina Museum to reopen after exceeding fundraising target

10 Oct 2023

London’s Vagina Museum will reopen on 4 November after a successful fundraising drive.

The museum was forced to close its doors in February after its property guardianship ended.

It has relocated to multi-storey premises in Bethnal Green after surpassing an £85,000 fundraising target with donations from more than 2,500 people.

Its new home features three gallery spaces. The ground floor will house temporary exhibitions, while a pair of upstairs galleries will feature a permanent exhibition and community gallery.

When the museum reopens, initially only the ground floor will be accessible as lift access is not yet available.

The museum’s Head of Communications, Zoe Williams, told The Guardian fundraising efforts had been a “make or break scenario”.

“We genuinely didn’t know how successful it would be, especially in the cost-of-living crisis when so many people in our community are really feeling the pinch. It’s just wonderful.”

Campaign to save Edinburgh Filmhouse launched

18 Sep 2023

Edinburgh Filmhouse has launched a campaign to secure its future, after it agreed a short-term lease with the building's owner to allow fundraising to take place.

The cinema closed its doors in October last year following the collapse of its parent company,  the Centre for the Moving Image (CMI), which ceased trading amid rising overheads and reduced business.

The fundraiser is being spearheaded by the newly formed charity Filmhouse (Edinburgh) Ltd, which has entered into a 6-month interim lease with the building’s owner, Caledonian Heritable. During that time, it hopes to raise an initial  £1.25m for essential refurbishment to reopen in 2024.

If successful, the charity will take on a 21-year lease to operate the cinema independently, with a café bar to help support it financially.

Caledonian Heritable, which owns other hospitality businesses in Edinburgh, has already started upgrading the fabric of the cinema. The company has pledged to gift all projection equipment to the new Filmhouse, including the customised analogue 35mm and 70mm projectors.

After the announcement of the agreement between Filmhouse (Edinburgh) and the privately-owned Caledonian Heritable, national funding body Screen Scotland confirmed it had awarded the charity £60,000 to support its planning and development work.

Screen Scotland has been working with the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish government to ensure a future for independent cinema in the city since CMI’s collapse, which also resulted in the demise of the Edinburgh International Film Festival and Belmont Filmhouse in Aberdeen.

Culture Minister Christina McKelvie said: “The Scottish government is absolutely clear on the value of cultural cinema and the importance of ensuring its future.

“I am delighted to see that work to secure its future is progressing, and I am grateful to all involved for their ongoing hard work and dedication.”
 

Vogue World raises £2m for London-based arts organisations 

18 Sep 2023

A fundraising event staged by fashion magazine Vogue has raised £2m for London-based arts organisations that saw their support cut by Arts Council England (ACE). 

Promoted as an event to "celebrate a mix of opera, dance, theatre and fashion", Vogue said it will donate 100% of net proceeds from ticket sales to 21 arts and cultural organisations in London in the form of grants. 

Those set to receive the grants include the National Theatre, the Royal Opera House, the Royal Ballet, Southbank Sinfonia and the Rambert Dance Company. The funds can be used for anything related to their core mission and objectives.

The recipients comprise three types of organisations, including larger institutions classed as  ‘Vogue World cultural partners’, which helped to produce the event. Donations will also go to organisations that support freelancers and small companies in London that have recently received funding for the first time or had their funding reduced.

In a press release, Vogue said: “In addition to ticket proceeds, Vogue is working with a number of organisations and donors to increase donations to the fund through individual contributions.”

Vogue Editor Anna Wintour previously said the decision to give proceeds from the event mainly to London-based organisations was a response to arts funding being shifted outside the capital for the 2023-26 National Portfolio after ACE was required to reduce funding for London-based organisations by 15%.

“The arts are under threat in the UK, and Vogue World will be a timely reminder of how important they are, how vital a part of our lives, and how much they need our support,” Wintour said.

“The London art scene is so important economically to the city. So many people come to London as tourists to appreciate the art scenes.”

The 37-minute show, held at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Thursday night, was directed by Stephen Daldry and included a host of well-known actors and musicians who paid tribute to the importance of the arts.

Derby venue launches fundraising appeal for urgent repairs

30 Aug 2023

An arts venue in Derby is trying to raise funds for urgent repairs.

The Quad cinema and gallery, which recently received an emergency loan of £150,000 from the city council to help it with rising energy costs, said it needs to raise £30,000.

An online appeal launched in July has so far attracted just under £2,500.

The venue said the loan from Derby City Council was "really helpful" but that the site, which opened in 2008, is "suffering from wear and tear".

Quad's management team explained: "We really need to update specific equipment to improve accessibility for all our customers and also to remain as environmentally sustainable and efficient as possible.

"This fundraising is critical for us to raise money to replace equipment in Quad which is outdated or nearing replacement, in order to keep our facilities up to standard."

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