BUILTH Wells’ Wyeside Arts Centre is looking forward to a rosier future after announcing that grants, personal donations and vital support from local organisations will allow them to keep the doors open.
The iconic Powys venue says it has been “overwhelmed” by the waves of support it has received following a desperate plea for help last November, when the prospect of finally shutting following years of financial struggle was described as a very real prospect.
However, thanks to a number of substantial grants, central funding, a boost from subscriptions to its Friends of Wyeside scheme, plus around £10,000 that was raised from local bands performing at a fundraiser back in March, the stage is now set for Wyeside to continue offering affordable access to the arts for local people.
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“Following our call for help last November, the team at Wyeside has been overwhelmed by the wide public response and the support we have received,” said Wyeside general manager Jill Mustafa.
“Many local organisations such as the YFC, the ladies choir and the Greyhound/Rotary quiz have raised funds, and we’ve had some very generous personal donations too.
“Subscriptions to our Friends of Wyeside scheme are on the rise. We’ve held several fundraising events including the bands day organised by Black Sheep Productions; the Best of Gilbert & Sullivan and Gershwin in Hollywood concerts; and an ELO (Electrik Live Orchestra) tribute band.
“We can’t stress enough that it is this support that has enabled us to keep the doors open. A huge, huge thank you.”
Last month it was announced that Wyeside would receive £45,098 from the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) via Powys County Council’s (PCC) arts service. The grant will be used to support transformation of the current business model to build organisational resilience through fundraising and development, additional marketing and audience development.
In January, Levelling Up cash, also from the Shared Prosperity Fund, gave Wyeside £14,091, in order for a feasibility study to look at plans for improving the cinema, theatre and exhibition facilities at the venue.
Live at the Wyeside, organised by Black Sheep Productions and held at the Wyeside on March 2, is said to have additionally raised more than £10,000.
This is all in stark contrast to October 2023, when the venue feared the final curtain after £30,000 was offered up by Arts Council Wales (ACW) following an investment review.
That sum was only to be used to run an existing partnership with Theatr Mwldan in Cardigan, and only represented an annual “stand-still” figure the venue has been operating on since 2014 – despite in the intervening years being hit by the pandemic, rising energy costs, inflation and flooding.
Jill added: “We’ve been working hard behind the scenes and have secured funds from the Garfield Weston Foundation, Aster Foundation and support from the Arts Council of Wales.
“We also secured funding from the Postcode Lottery Community Trust to replace our antiquated show lighting control desk and our IT equipment.
“But our future remains very precarious. We have been awarded UK Levelling Up money allocated by the Powys Arts Service transition and resilience fund which will give us the opportunity to engage specialists both in business planning and development and fundraising, helping us work towards a more financially sustainable business model for the future.
“However, as funding from revenue bodies dries up, keeping affordable access to the arts alive and kicking will become even more challenging.
“What can you do to help? Please consider becoming a ‘friend’, come and support events, bring along a friend. Sign up to our weekly ‘What’s On’ newsletters.
“Thank you once again for your ongoing support, this will be even more crucial as we face the challenges ahead.”
For more information on Wyeside, visit https://www.wyeside.co.uk/.
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