In a public launch, with bells on, Arts Council England has declared itself an advocate for the arts nationally, rather than ?just a funding body?, writes Suzi Clark-Britton.
It would seem that Chicken Shed, the UK?s largest and most successful inclusive theatre company for young people remains ?out in the cold?. Not only does it remain excluded from the charmed circle of those who receive statutory arts revenue funding for their work, but now also denied any publicity on the Arts Council?s website. Apparently only organisations that get funding, get publicity. How fortunate they are to enjoy the double whammy.
Yet, despite a lack of statutory arts funding, and against considerable odds, Chicken Shed has achieved steady financial growth during recent years in response to the ever-expanding national demand for inclusive theatre. Since moving into its purpose-built north London theatre base in 1994, the company?s turnover has grown organically to over £2m this year, with income targets reflecting increased costs.
Chicken Shed presents a busy year-round programme of highly original artistic performances which generate limited income. As a truly inclusive company, ticket prices are kept low, so even full houses will not pay the bills. To its relief and delight, Barclays plc has stepped forward to support Chicken Shed?s 2003 Season of Innovative Theatre. Such corporate support is crucial.
Chicken Shed?s educational work involves thousands of children, young people and adults each week. It ranges from pre-school Tales from the Shed activities to a nationally- acclaimed BTEC National Diploma in Performance offered in partnership with Enfield, its local FE college; from children?s and youth theatre activities to a postgraduate diploma in Inclusivity in the Performing Arts. Educational activities at the theatre are extended to outreach training in communities in seven London Boroughs, Manchester, Gravesham and Milton Keynes. New ?Chicken Shed trained? inclusive theatre companies are being established within a national training and development programme, funded piecemeal through a wide range of trusts, corporate sponsors and local fundraising efforts.
Chicken Shed is forever keen to tour its professional performing work nationally but that requires exactly the core artistic funding that has been denied to date. With only 38% of the total income being earned, it falls to the fundraising team to raise over £1.4m for this year. This is achieved through grants raised from charitable trusts and foundations, fundraising events, corporate sponsorships and individual donations. 71% of Chicken Shed?s total expenditure is directly attributable to its core and commercial activities, and only 9% is spent on fundraising, making a return on investment of over 6:1. Marketing accounts for 2%, management and administration 16%, and the theatre building just 2%.
Despite the fact that inclusive work is labour intensive (over 67% of Chicken Shed?s total expenditure is invested in salaries and wages of 90 staff to ensure quality), the company is keen to share the successful, efficient, management and fundraising strategies that it has developed over almost 30 years. The new postgraduate diploma offers a fascinating study programme including Marketing and Fundraising for Inclusive Theatre, for students who want to get the inside story from Chicken Shed.
David Balcombe, Deputy Chief Executive, says ?We are determined never to be complacent at Chicken Shed. We appreciate and value every penny that comes in. We make it work to spread the word about inclusive theatre, and to respond to the needs of audiences and communities across Britain. We are surviving? but with core funding, how much better could we have been thriving? Perhaps it is because we don?t enjoy the luxury of statutory funding that we remain so responsive to the needs of the people, and yet so committed to total autonomy and integrity in our artistic provision.?
Suzi Clark-Britton is Head of Marketing and Development for National Education Programmes at Chicken Shed Theatre Company. For enquiries about the course call Zoe, t: 020 8351 6161 x229.
To make a donation towards Chicken Shed and its work, call Calli Pellegrini x209, or go to http://www.chickenshed.org.uk