The New Wolsey Theatre is pleased to announce that its application to Arts Council England for National Portfolio funding has been successful and it is to receive £2,514,000 over the period 2012-2015.
This settlement enables the New Wolsey to maintain its existing operation and contribute to the goals set out in the Arts Council's strategic framework Achieving Great Art for Everyone (see notes). It also recognises the strategic role the New Wolsey plays within the national theatre network and will enable it to develop specific initiatives in artist development, training and creative learning.
New Wolsey Chairman David Edwards believes this is a good result in the current climate and proof that the Arts Council holds the New Wolsey in high regard. Chief Executive Sarah Holmes is equally pleased. "It is a good outcome and means that we can continue our work with artists, audiences, community groups and young people enriching and enlivening all our lives. Our commitment to creative learning and to artist development is secure, as is the PULSE Fringe Festival. Like our colleagues at other organisations we will be looking to other income streams, to diversify our income and attract philanthropy. We have a track record of innovative thinking and strong financial management. I am confident about the future."
The New Wolsey Theatre also receives funding from Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council and for the next financial year they are protecting the level of revenue investment in the New Wolsey. "This indicates that IBC and SCC recognise the social and economic benefits of the arts to their communities unlike many other Councils across the country who have cut their investment in the arts," says Sarah.
The New Wolsey Theatre celebrates its 10th Anniversary in 2011. In the last 10 years it has generated nearly one million ticket sales. The theatre has steadily built up new and diverse audiences and has successfully developed a business model based on a mix of produced, presented and collaborative programming, e.g. Guys and Dolls, a co production with Theatr Clwyd Cymru and Salisbury Playhouse currently playing to packed houses at the New Wolsey Theatre.
The New Wolsey has also developed its role as an incubator for new and emerging talent. The annual PULSE Fringe Festival (26 May to 11 June 2011) is a nationally significant showcase for new and emerging companies exploring innovative ways of making theatre. The New Wolsey has nurtured long-term relationships with Gecko, now an associate company of the New Wolsey, with Analogue and also with Frequency D'Ici with whom it is taking Freetime Radical to this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The New Wolsey Theatre's Creative Learning programme has expanded exponentially in recent years with new activity for children, young people and adults that include Youth Theatre, the Young Company, touring theatre into schools and work with excluded and hard-to-reach young people.
So what's coming up this season at the New Wolsey Theatre?
Guys and Dolls runs at the New Wolsey until 16 April; A Passionate Woman, a New Wolsey and Oldham Coliseum co-production opens on 29 April; The New Wolsey Young Company presents Spring Awakening by Frank Wedekind (in a version by Ted hughes) at New Wolsey Studio from 26 to 30 April; and Frequency D'Ici present Freetime Radical, a work in development, at New Wolsey Studio on 31 March and 1 April.
Box Office: 01473 295900
www.wolseytheatre.co.uk