Theatre Bristol 'blown away' by response to their closure
Earlier this week the Board of Directors issued a statement, blaming the 'current cultural landscape and uncertainty around core funding'
Theatre Bristol say they've been 'blown away' by the response of their closure - days after their announcement on social media.
Bosses have blamed the current cultural landscape and uncertainty around core funding.
The organisation was founded 18 years ago - helping to support and improve the live performance sector in the region.
In a statement on their website earlier this week, their Board of Directors said: "After 18 years, it is with deep sadness that we confirm the forthcoming closure of Theatre Bristol. In this time the organisation has supported countless artists and has provided invaluable services to artists and freelance creatives.
"Following the news in November 2022 that Theatre Bristol will no longer be part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio, along with recent decisions made by Bristol City Council to delay funding decisions, the Board and Staff have worked tirelessly to find alternative business models and viable funding routes to sustain the organisation’s valuable work. However, the current cultural landscape and uncertainty around core funding has led to the decision that the organisation can no longer continue.
"Our staff now remain our priority. The excellent team has been outstandingly resilient in this turbulent time and we would like to thank them for all the hard work and care they have given to Theatre Bristol. They have lived their commitment to developing and supporting the live performance sector to make it fairer, more equal and more inclusive and have delivered much needed sector support and advocacy.
"And finally, thank you to all the amazing artists, freelancers, industry colleagues, partners and funders who have worked with us over the last 18 years – you made Theatre Bristol what it was, and we couldn’t have done it without you."
Theatre Bristol have launched a form for people to share your stories of the centre.
They say they would 'love to hear about the ways that Theatre Bristol has touched your life, whether big, small or somewhere in between'.
A selection of stories will be published in their final newsletter at the end of August, which will then help to memorialise the centre that's been a part of the Westcountry arts scene for the past 18 years.
You can find out more about the form, or submit your stories, here.