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Circus space
Photo: 

Bertil Nilsson

The UK’s national centre for circus arts, Circus Space, has received a donation of $1m from American philanthropist Aileen Getty. The money will be donated in amounts of £200k over the next three years to support the organisation’s core running costs. Getty, who is known for setting up the foundation Getlove which supports homeless people in Hollywood, said she was aware people would question her donation to theatre arts in tough times, but had thought carefully about her decision: “You cannot underestimate the value of keeping wonder alive. Wonder keeps our sprits joyous and resilient.” Jane Rice-Bowen, Joint Chief Executive of Circus Space, said she believed it was the biggest donation ever given to a circus arts organisation in the UK. Circus Space had previously received an Arts Council England Catalyst grant, designed to help organisations diversify their income streams and reduce reliance on statutory grants. It had already hit ten times the target amount of match funding expected for the first year of the scheme, prior to the $1m pledge being made.