Joseph Rowntree Theatre seeks to raise £30,000 to continue the legacy of its social impact

'Heart for the Arts' Community-focused Joseph Rowntree Theatre seeks to raise £30,000 to continue the legacy of its social impact.

• £95k funds secured for completed ‘Raise the Roof’ campaign
• New watertight zinc roof and solar panels reducing energy consumption
• Latest plans unveiled for new “Heart of the Arts’ Garden Room

The ‘Raise the Roof’ campaign which launched back in 2021, has now concluded with vital funds from donations successfully contributing £95,000 to provide a new watertight, energy efficient roof for the theatre. Only the second historic listed building in York to now have solar power, the installation of zinc roof, insulation, new tiles, and LED lighting is a vital step in securing the long-term sustainability and in reducing the energy consumption of the theatre.

Following on from the huge success of the ‘Raise the Roof’ campaign the Joseph Rowntree Theatre has today unveiled further aspiring plans and are calling on the public to help once more, launching a new campaign ‘Heart for the Arts’ to provide a temporary structure in the grounds.

With its annual 32,000 strong audiences in mind, “Heart for the Arts’ seeks to raise £30,000 from public donations, towards the overall estimated target costs of £100,000 for its new ‘Garden Room’, providing a much-needed meeting place and waiting area to relax in before performances, as well as the inclusion of an in-house bar and additional toilets.

Current facilities at the Grade II listed theatre remain inadequate, a limited foyer area means audiences are often forced to endure freezing temperatures gathering outside ahead of performances. In addition, the existing bar provision has no running water or storage capacity, making it a significant limiting factor in how the theatre can be used by communities.

Dan Shrimpton, Chair of Trustees commented: "The support we receive from our audiences is always incredible and we can’t thank them enough, every penny raised for the new project will enable our beloved theatre and community space to remain open and thriving for everyone to enjoy. We have big plans, and we know the generous businesses and people of York and beyond will help to reach our ambitious target. We’d love the Garden Room once open, to be at the heart of the theatre filled with people using it as a local hub to meet family and friends”.

The Joseph Rowntree Theatre was created nearly 90 years ago in 1935, in the very heart of its surrounding communities, built to enrich lives by providing a facility to gather for education, recreation, and see affordable entertainment. To celebrate this enduring, community focussed, inclusive vision, the trustees and volunteers of the Joseph Rowntree Theatre are committed to their fundraising targets for the next few years, striving to keep returning visitors and attract new audiences inside the theatre.

To kick-start the run of fundraising activities, the theatre is excited to open the doors for its first ‘Autumn Festival’, a chance to show your support by attending a special set of informative performance-based workshops, demonstrations, enjoy a concert and chance to join a quiz night. Other performances to support fundraising include ticket sales from a Christmas Showtime Concert with York legend Don Pears, an iconic Christmas raffle to win incredible prizes and events in 2024. Donations and ticket sales into 2024 from specific events will help fund the necessary update to facilities, enabling the art-deco theatre to continue offering a variety of entertainment for everyone in York and its surrounding areas.

Support will also continue via memberships, sponsoring a seat, monthly giving and theatre merchandise.

Tickets to any of the Autumn Festival activities can be found via the website: https://www.josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/festival/

More information on how to donate can be found here from Monday 13 November: https://www.josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk/support-us/