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Dateline: 2nd February, 2003 Polka in Trouble Polka Theatre, the UK’s only theatre venue producing and presenting work exclusively for children, stands to lose a £90,000 annual grant if plans by the Association of London Government (ALG) go through on Wednesday.
Polka has received regular funding from the Capital since the theatre opened in 1979, initially through the Greater London Council, subsequently through London Boroughs Grants, and until now through ALG.
However, ALG is now recommending that Polka receives nothing from this April, despite “a very high scoring application” and admitting that Polka “plays a key role in serving the residents in the south London boroughs and also bringing in audiences from a much wider catchment area.” The proposed cuts are blamed on “the need for a strategic spread of funding across London”. A cut of £90,000 would
The ALG Grants Committee meets on Wednesday 5th February, when the final decision will be made. Polka is appealing against the recommendation on the grounds that cutting its funds cannot represent a strategic spread of funds across the Capital. Polka is unique in bringing live theatre to children, often for the very first time, in an environment purpose-built for them. It is used by children throughout London, from every social background. It draws a significant proportion of its audience from Croydon, Sutton, Kingston and Richmond, yet not one arts organisation from these boroughs (serving either children or adults) is to receive money from ALG. The theatre is organising a campaign to convince the ALG Grants Committee to rethink details on its website - and is appealing to Londoners and others with an interest in children's theatre to email the committee by Wednesday 4th February. Please note that all three Archive indices are very long and will therefore take some time to download.
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