Stephen Joseph Theatre: The Search for Funds - Essay Example

Stephen Joseph Theatre: The Search for Funds Introduction In spite of the many technological and scientific sweeping developments that illustrates the world as a mechanistic system, there is one thing that cannot be denied – that we, humans, have an artistic craving that must also be satisfied such that we are not reduced to a mechanistic being. This is the reason why the field of the arts is an integral part of the society. Every human, at some part of their life, wanted to be artists or at least be able to experience the arts. Suffice it to say, the arts give us pride and makes us think and feel to the point that we are overwhelmed with emotions. One of the venues where people can satiate their desire to experience the arts is the Stephen Joseph Theatre. The Stephen Joseph Theatre is basically a theatre in the round in Scarborough and was actually the first of its kind in Britain. The theatre takes its name from its founder, Stephen Joseph. The theater had its humble beginnings in the first floor of Scarborough’s public library. Currently, the theatre has two auditoria: a 404 –seat in the round aptly named as The Round and a 165-seat endstage/cinema called the McCarthy. The building also has facilities such as a restaurant, shop and full front-of-house and backstage facilities. The Round boasts of two innovations: the stage lift which enabled speedy set changes and the trampoline, a Canadian invention which allows technicians particularly easy access to the lighting grid. All of these improvements did not come without a price. The price tag for the improvements was £5.2 million. This only goes to show that art-related ventures are not only founded in the artist talents but actually involves expenditures that can be quite huge. However, the practice and development of the arts should not be hindered by the lack of capital. The exercise of such an important part of society should never be compromised by financial reasons. This reasoning has been the rationale behind the public as well as private support in the field. Perhaps, the most immediate and important support is funding. The theatre project, for example, was given £1.48 million by the National Lottery Arts Council of England, £500,000 from the Foundation for Sport and the Arts; £495,000 from the EC Objective 5(b) fund; £400,000 from Alan Ayckbourn personal funds; £240,000 from the Chairman of the Development Trust, Charles McCarthy. Other amounts amounting came from donations ranging from hundreds of thousands to pound coins dropped in a collection bucket after each performance. While the theatre has been successfully completed, there are still financial problems concerning its operation and the maintenance of its facilities. Although some may argue that the theatre should be self-sustaining – that is, they gain their operational expenditures are financed by the profit for every performance they make – the theatre’s expenses exceeds that of its sales. Thus, there is a need to acquire funding such that the future operation of the theatre is assured. Main Aim The main aim of this paper shall be the exploration of possible funding agencies and mechanisms to finance the operation of the theatre. With this aim in mind, all possible and legitimate sources, whether they be public or private and in whatever amount shall be pinpointed in the study. Objectives The following objectives will serve as the framework by which this research shall operate: 1. To determine 10 possible public funding sources. 2. To pinpoint 15 possible private funding sources 3. To determine funding drive and mechanism strategies 4. To explore the viability of each strategy 5. To ensure that a minimum value of £1 million shall be collected The specified number of sources is set as the minimum. The funding sources must be legal entities and does not ask for any unreasonable requirements. Every strategy for fund drives shall be explored with each of its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats explored to the fullest detail. The £1 million minimum limit is to set a quantifiable value that the fund raiser can examine his performance. With this, it can be seen that the objectives are realistic in nature. They are not merely qualitative criteria but are quantitative such that a clear guideline is available for each fund drive personnel. Methodology The determination of possible donors will involve the use of various media sources. Specifically, it will carry out the following operations: 1. Advertisement placed in the print media, like local and nationwide newspapers and journals, announcing that the theatre is need of funds to support its operations. 2. Broadcast media advertisements like short TV ads showcasing the talents of the theatre, its projects and its need for funds. Radio announcements will involve a catchy advertisement. 3. Internet announcements shall be posted at the theater’s website All these strategies shall include the name, number and address of the contact person and donation schemes that interested entities can pursue. All media mechanisms will be scanned for any announcements of people or organizations who are expressing their interest in donating funds. One good procedure would be the internet searching. For example, typing “Arts Funding UK” directs the inquiry to web articles and websites that are funding the field of Arts in the UK. An organizational structure dedicated for the research drive will be established. A person will be designated as the overall manager of the endeavor. Two teams shall be formed – a Search and Strategies Formulation Team dedicated to the determination of the sources and the development of strategies and an Applications team that shall meet and conduct business with the possible donors. It shall also conduct follow-up operations with the donors and updating them where and how their money is being spent. The team shall also conduct the fund drives with the first team supervising the process. The campaign must be intensive that it evens reach the international audience. This can be achieved thru the use of the internet and broadcast media. As always, the procedures will be carried out in a spirited manner such that the objectives can be achieved and the future of the Stephen Joseph Theatre is ensured. Reference: Stephen Joseph Theater Website (2006). Stephen Joseph Theater. Retrieved Nov 11, 2006 from http://www.sjt.uk.com/ Read More