More arts centres seek urgent funding to stay open

A lack of short-term funding is impacting several community art centres across the UK, putting their futures in jeopardy.

With a challenging funding landscape for the arts amid falling income and increased costs, a number of organisations have recently launched crowdfunding campaigns to try to save their venues.

Arts Professional is aware of seven organisations making urgent appeals for funding (listed below), although the true figure could be higher.

East London-based Applecart Arts has warned that it needs to raise £15,000 within two weeks and a further £85,000 by Christmas to keep its facilities – including a 50-seat theatre, art studios and a community cafe – open.

Founded in 2008, Applecart became a charity in 2011 and receives no regular public funding. It is used by local community groups and schools, and it is partnered with East London University.

Applecart’s artistic director, Peter Moreton, called the venue a “vital lifeline” for the area, which would be a “tragedy” to lose.

“We have new contracts and funding coming online in the new year, but we need support over the next three months to keep our doors open in the meantime and to continue to provide space and support for artists who are planning to premiere their work at our venue,” he told BBC.

‘Growing waiting list’

In Margate, the CEO of Arts Education Exchange (AEE), Ollie Briggs, said that after building an essential service for local young people, the organisation is also “fighting to keep our doors open to those who need us most”.

“We provide young people with wrap-around support in a safe, consistent environment where they can develop reliable and trusting relationships,” Briggs told The Isle of Thanet News.

AEE has been providing arts education as an alternative to mainstream schooling since 2017, often to young people who have endured displacement, domestic conflict and social and economic deprivation.

However, after being rejected for over £800,000 worth of funding last year, AEE has had to reduce staff numbers and faces further job cuts without securing income.

Despite this, AEE says, demand has only increased with a growing waiting list of young people wanting to access its services.

It is appealing to the community, potential donors and funding bodies to help raise £32,000 to cover two years rent and one year’s utilities, allowing it to focus on securing further funding for salaries and programme costs.

Briggs added: “We’re committed to our purpose of reconnecting young people with their creative potential and fighting back against brutal cuts to public services. But we need urgent support to continue this critical work.”

Rising energy bills and fewer funding opportunities

Increasing costs and insufficient funding have also put the Barony Arts Centre and Studio in West Kilbride at risk of closure, with the organisation launching a JustGiving campaign to secure its future.

Managed by West Kilbride Community Initiative Limited, the organisation employs nine people part-time across the gallery, shop and café, as well as a team of over 50 volunteers. The centre was established 25 years ago as part of the regeneration programme Craft Town Scotland.

Board chair William Dunn told Ardrossan Herald: “Due to rising energy bills and fewer funding opportunities for charities and community groups, the Barony is under threat.

“The board is working hard to close a funding gap over the coming months, but we need community support.

“West Kilbride is Scotland’s Craft Town, and the Barony and studios are a huge part of that. It would be devastating for North Ayrshire if the Barony had to close.

“The board’s aim is to ensure financial sustainability for the Barony, but the current funding environment means we need to raise money.”

Elsewhere, Salford Lads and Girls Club, which offers arts and music activities, as well as sports, is currently crowdfunding to raise £250,000 by the end of November to avoid “imminent closure”, with the campaign receiving a £100,000 donation from Salford Council last week.

Meanwhile, in Leicester, Two Queens community art gallery, which runs projects to help teenagers and young adults in the city, as well as people with mental health issues, is trying to raise £450,000 after being told the building it currently rents is to be sold.

A matter of urgency

Even community-focused cultural venues that benefit from regular Arts Council England funding have revealed they are facing hardships.

In July, QUAD, a cultural hub in Derby, said it was in “serious financial difficulty” and “working tirelessly” to remain open.

The organisation, which receives £466,176 as part of the National Portfolio for 2023-26, announced that from 17 October, it would reduce opening hours and focus on meeting existing charitable aims to safeguard its future.

QUAD CEO Eleanor Thornley said: “From the many conversations I’ve had, it’s crystal clear that QUAD provides an irreplaceable cultural hub for the city as a place for people to discover film & art and nurture their creative lives, which is something that I am keen to continue.

“However, due to rising costs and changing audience habits, we are having to make big changes. It is clear that we cannot continue to operate in the same way we have up to now and that we need to reduce operating costs as a matter of urgency.

“Like many cultural organisations, we desperately need funds to stabilise our business to plan for the future.

“We are in close conversation with stakeholders to find solutions, but we are also asking our supporters and customers to help in any way they can.”

It has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise £30,000.