Derby Theatre has been awarded £150,000 by Arts Council England to help it boost its fundraising endeavours.
The funding from the Catalyst: Evolve project will help Derby Theatre to train staff to develop new appeals for cash. It will also match any new funds raised by the theatre on a pound for pound basis over the next three years up to a value of £112,500.
Sarah Brigham, Derby Theatre’s artistic director and chief executive, said, “it’s vital that we grow funding from a variety of sources to allow us to continue the work we do in schools, communities and with people who wouldn’t normally access our productions or workshops.
“This award will help us to focus on how we encourage individuals to donate to our crucial work with young people in care, for example, or how we encourage businesses to see the public benefit of using the theatre as a place to grow their business.”
Andrew McIntyre, the theatre’s business development manager, said, “this is very timely as we’ve recently appointed our first development officer, Daisy Giuliano, who’ll really be able to help us make the most of this award.
“I think the funding recognises that we’ve achieved a lot in raising money so far but that we have the real potential to do more so we can deliver even wider benefits as an arts charity.”