The Bristol Improv Theatre launches urgent fundraising campaign to secure its future.
The Bristol Improv Theatre have announced that they are under threat of closure within the next three months and have launched a fundraising campaign - ‘Save the Bristol Improv Theatre’ - with the goal of raising £20,000. This campaign will ensure they can keep their doors open, transition to a sustainable business model and continue to empower, educate and entertain Bristol audiences through the art of improv. They are promoting three key ways for people to support them: donate to the campaign; buy tickets for their events; and tell others about their work.
In the face of an extremely challenging economic landscape, exacerbated by the ongoing cost of living crisis, the Bristol Improv Theatre has faced increased running costs alongside a reduction in audience spend. The theatre receives no regular public funding and relies solely on the revenue made from ticket sales, venue hire, and bar sales at shows.
The closure of this Bristol grassroots venue, the UK’s first full time dedicated Improv Theatre, would be a devastating loss for Bristol’s Arts scene. Their work brings connection, creativity and joy to people across Bristol and beyond.
If they are successful in securing the £20,000 needed to keep their doors open, their long term plans include making their building’s public spaces fully accessible, expanding their community work across Bristol and becoming a hub for developing new improvised theatre performances. But their first step is to fundraise and restructure to keep the organisation running in a way that is financially stable.
The ‘Save the Bristol Improv Theatre’ campaign will be running from now until late September. The theatre is hosting a charity fundraiser event on Friday 26th July as part of their Improv Appreciation weekend.
The three key ways that people can support their work are:
Donate to the campaign - any donations, however big or small, will help reach their fundraising goal and help secure the Improv Theatre’s future. You can donate directly via the theatre’s website. Due to their new charity status, donations are also now eligible for Gift Aid, allowing the theatre to reclaim extra money in tax on donations.
Buy Tickets - Every ticket sale contributes towards the safeguarding of the theatre’s future. Book via improvtheatre.co.uk.
Tell a friend - or alternatively, leave a review on Google or Tripadvisor, word of mouth is key.
Further Information: ‘Save the Bristol Improv Theatre’ campaign homepage.