Support Us

Help the shows to go on

 
Shaftesbury Arts Centre has been at the heart of the local community for more than 50 years, providing a wide range of entertainment and cultural activity for a large area of Dorset and Wiltshire, and even parts of Somerset and Hampshire.

As well as a resource for the community to develop, pursue and promote their artistic and cultural interests, the centre hosts a varied and lively year-round programme of theatre and live performances, drama for all ages and abilities, films, art, photography, craft exhibitions, dance. music and other group activities.

SAC is a charitable company limited by guarantee - a charitable company in short - run wholly by volunteers drawn from its membership. It receives virtually no public subsidy and relies on the generosity of its patrons, members and supporters to keep the centre running.

So if you are one of the many who enjoy visiting the centre and would like to support our continued existence there are a number of ways you can help us financially:

Our expansion plans

SAC celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007 by launching a long-planned project to expand by buying, converting and refurbishing the building next door at No 11 Bell Street. Completed in 2009 at a total cost of nearly £500,000 the expansion has provided the centre with a shop-front retail unit, three extra large meeting/function/activity rooms, five new toilets, including disabled toilets, a lift for the disabled, and a refurbished box office.

In autumn 2009 the centre replaced its main heating system and extended it to include No 11 at a total cost of nearly £19,000. A £6,300 interest-free loan from the Carbon Trust helped but the remainder of the cost came from our maintenance reserve and this reserve now needs to be built up again for future maintenance requirements.

New projects that cannot be started until we have more funds are:

• the completion of the final expansion phase (Phase 3) to include a new extension the rear of No 11 to provide space for set-building and storage and a possible art and crafts studio (estimated cost £150k)

• the conversion of the Green Room into a dance studio with wood floor and mirrored walls (estimated cost £5k)

• the provision of modern, security glass front doors (estimated cost £5k)

• the expansion and upgrading of the kitchen facilities to make life easier for our catering volunteers who have an increasing demand for their services (estimated cost £2k)

• the extension of the bar facilities to the Rutter Room (estimated cost £5k)

Total cost: £162,000

If you feel you would like to help the centre with a donation you can text us at SACT11 to 70070 with the amount you want to donate (from £2), pick up a donation form in the foyer and pass a payment to the box office, or send a cheque to the treasurer. You can also donate by clicking on 'Donate Here' below.


Other ways in which you can support our efforts are by:

• Becoming a member From just £22 per annum (junior £5.50 per annum) you can enjoy reduced ticket prices for most performances, participation in the centre’s many group activities, receive mailings of the centre's seasonal programme of events and newsletter and vote at the annual meeting. Details and an application form are inside the seasonal programme or available from the box office.

• Sponsoring a seat Sponsor one of the 160 seats in the theatre and you will be playing an important supporting role in our fundraising efforts. Introduced in 2008 more than ten seats have already been sponsored in this way and another 150 remain to be claimed. For a single donation of £150 the centre will fit a stylish plaque to the seat of your choice and it will remain there for ten years with the dedication of your choice. For more details pick up a leaflet in the foyer.
 

• Leaving a legacy Leaving a gift to the SAC in your will is a wonderful way of ensuring your support for the centre will be remembered.

For details of this and other ways in which you can help the centre contact Denis Scott (hon treasurer) on 07879 883987 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

We hope you enjoy our shows and activities and thank you in advance for your generosity.

DONATE HERE