Funding Jade Roberts & Michaela Bills

 Funding is needed for everybody - whether it be a hit Broadway show or a local school. Each company or production has to start from the beginning and needs money to start the creative process, maintain the creative process or both.  Today we are going to look at two contrasting companies: Stoke Repertory Theatre (Self funding) and the Wilkes Academy (Outsourcing) Why do we need funding?

 We are going to look at too contrasting types of funding:  Arts council – Funds bigger projects but not as many professional ones. Provides the funding for the projects. More suited to educational theatre, theatre in the community projects ( like the Wilkes Academy)  Rep Theatre – Self funding company. Has it’s own in house productions and has a performance season. Who are we going to look into for funding?

 What do they do?  Provide training for people within the community who are interested in the art’s.  Professional teachers with professional performing experience teaching within all 3 disciplines  Offers qualifications through the Academy Wilkes Academy

 Funded by:  Arts council  Patrons  Merchandise  Memberships to classes  Reputable name – well known names attract more customers and more customers means more money Wilkes Academy

What is the arts council?  Council that provides grants to eligible business’ working within the arts’ who apply for financial support How is the arts council run?  Set up and run by 16 members who are charitable trustees  Think of ways in which the arts can be improved and to make sure that they achieve it at a high possible rate.

Arts council  There are 9 types of funding that the arts council provides..  Grants for the arts  Grants for the arts library fund  Artists international development fund  Capital investment program  Catalyst arts  Creative industry finance  Digital R&D funds for the arts  PRISM  Strategic touring program

Arts council Positives Accepts and supports applications from a diverse range of people/groups Community based Useful for starting up business’ Eligibility criteria creates lots of opportunities Large sums of money Negatives Won’t be a continuous source of money There is a limit to the amount of money Lots of competition to get the money Any money that is left over after purchasing the items listed on the application form must be returned

Facts:  Stoke repertory theatre is a theatre which focus on amateur dramatics. It is a self funded company meaning the money needed to keep the establishment running and to enable shows to run, comes from patrons.  Neil Morrissey is a patron  Current membership of roughly 125 volunteers – ranging from admin staff, bar staff, technicians, F.O.H staff and so on. What is the rep Theatre?  When was it first established? Opened in 1997 First funds came from the Arts Council, a National Lottery grant, the support of the City Council, funds raised by the membership and the generous sponsorship of local companies.

Rep Theatre: How is it funded?  Money from interval refreshments  Renting out the theatre to visiting theatre groups such as the groups in the picture opposite:

Rep Theatre (self funded) Wilkes academy: assisted by (Arts Council) Comments: Money: Self funded Patrons Arts Council Money: Arts council Patrons Both rely on patrons, but the Wilkes academy has more money income from patrons Venue: Purpose built venue Venue: Local schoolsWilkes academy is cheaper as they hire the venue, but it’s not purpose built. Where is the money spent: Upkeep of the venue Equipment H & S Costumes Promotion Where is the money spent: Venue hire Branding Rep theatre depends more on voluntary work and so is probably more cost efficient. Additional ways of funding: Voluntary Bar Income from visiting productions Additional ways of funding: Merchandise Class payments The rep uses the community more efficiently, but the Wilkes Academy uses the branding to the maximum. Comparison

Summary  Both companies rely heavily on patrons  Both companies used income from the Arts Council  The Wilkes Academy has increased it’s potential income by expanding and creating new branches  The Rep has also created an opportunity to increase income by housing more visiting productions  Both companies have great potential to continue far into the future as they use their funding to it’s full potential.

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