Birmingham venue The Drum—“the UK’s premier intercultural arts centre”—is to close in June 2016.
The organisation behind The Drum in Potters Lane, Aston says it has had to make “the very hard decision” to wind down after more than 20 years serving the international, national and local artistic community.
It says a “combination of challenges including the current financial climate unfortunately came together in a manner that left the board with no viable alternatives”.
The venue receives almost £600,000 per year as an Arts Council England national portfolio organisation. Birmingham city council also offers a yearly grant.
But an application to ACE for £2.5 million towards The Drum’s Raising the Roof appeal, which would have helped to sustain the venue for the next 20 years, was turned down.
Sharon Palmer MBE, chair of the board, said, “we can assure the community, staff and supporters that this decision (to close) was not taken lightly. The board of trustees and I genuinely feel for everyone affected by this decision, especially all staff members past and present.”
A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council added, “while the trustees of The Drum have decided they can no longer continue as a viable organisation, Birmingham City Council and Arts Council England remain committed to continuing to support cultural activity in Newtown and the wider Aston area, and for black and minority ethnic audiences.”