Theatre lovers who would like to play their part in the restoration and redevelopment of Perth Theatre can now donate via their mobile phones with the launch of a new text donation line.
Donors are invited to text ARTS17 £3 to 70070 with 100% of funds pledged going directly to Transform Perth Theatre.
The Horsecross Arts team will host a Transform Perth Theatre stand on Perth High Street during the Perth Farmers’ Markets on the first Saturday of the month in June, July and August to highlight the text donation scheme. Members of the public will be able to meet the team, find out more about the text donation service, and receive project updates and news about other fundraising options as well as browsing old photographs, promotional items and theatre costumes.
Members of Perth Theatre Memory Collective will also be on hand to share some of the discoveries and materials they have unearthed as part of their ongoing research into the rich heritage of the much loved venue.
Louisa Evans, head of development for Horsecross Arts, the creative organisation behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre said:
“The launch of the text donation scheme is another step along the way to raising the £1.5m needed to fully kit out Perth’s restored and redeveloped theatre. Our research shows that text giving is the new ‘money in a collection tin’ for the mobile phone generation, so we are hopeful that it will be an easy and appealing way for supporters to donate. We have set £3 as the standard donation amount and, with Vodafone JustTextGiving, donors can be assure that 100% of their donation will go directly to Transform Perth Theatre. As ever, we are hugely grateful to anyone who plays their part in the project at whatever level. Perth Theatre belongs to everybody and we can all take pride in our role in securing its future for further generations.”
Perth Theatre has a long history of artistic innovation and excellence having been at the heart of cultural life in Perth for over a century. The transformation of the theatre will restore and redevelop one of Scotland’s oldest and best loved theatres for generations to come. The B listed Edwardian auditorium will be restored to its former glory and a new 200 seat studio theatre will be created designed for more intimate shows, live music and comedy events and for nurturing new and emerging talent. The newly transformed venue will have increased workshop spaces for community education and outreach projects including the thriving Perth Youth Theatre which turns 50 this year. Due to be completed late 2017, the High Street entrance to the building will be retained, with a new frontage created on Mill Street, improving access and facilities for visitors.
Horsecross Arts has been pledged £15.1m for Transform Perth Theatre, with funding coming from project partners Perth & Kinross Council, Creative Scotland, The Gannochy Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund, other trusts and foundations, individual donations and other supporters and funding bodies.
Horsecross Arts is now looking to raise an additional £1.5 million from local businesses, generous visitors, audiences, communities and supporters to ensure that the newly transformed venue is fully equipped and furnished for a new century of theatre in Perth.
There are several ways to donate to the Transform Perth Theatre project ranging from buying a Perth Theatre supporter’s pin badge to seat dedication, as well as bespoke business sponsorship opportunities including naming rights for the new studio theatre, community spaces, bar and restaurant areas and auditorium boxes.
Theatre lovers can also show their support by sharing their memories of Perth Theatre through the #PlayingMyPart campaign centred on a large-scale display in sister venue Perth Concert Hall’s Threshold artspace.
Those who would like to take a more active role can find lots of suggestions for fundraising activities as well as all the donation options on the Transform Perth Theatre pages of the Horsecross Arts website.
For more information please contact the Horsecross Arts Development Team on 01738 472731 or email transform@perththeatre.co.uk
And of course, donations are invited via the Transform Perth Theatre web pages and in the various collection tins around Perth Concert Hall.
For further information, visit the website or pick up a fundraising leaflet available at the Transform Perth Theatre display in Perth Concert Hall.