Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw is the very first to say thank you to our cultural champions in the South West.
Artspace Life, The Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Centre, Bridgwater Arts Centre, Devon Arts in Schools Initiative, Dartington Hall Trust, Exeter Festival, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Dance in Devon, New Devon Opera, Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, Royal West of England Academy, Sidmouth Folk Festival, Somerset Art Works, Tobacco Factory Theatre, Theatre Royal, Plymouth
A select number of residents from across the South West have been identified as “Cultural Champions”. They will attend a celebratory reception at Exeter Cathedral where Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw, alongside Arts and Business, will publically acknowledge and thank them for their outstanding cultural support.
The arts cannot survive without the support of thousands of people who are generously giving their time, expertise and money to make culture thrive in the South West. Today we will celebrate all those individuals who have given dedicated support to their local arts scene.
Arts organisations both big and small from across the South West have stepped forward to recognise these crucial individuals.
Support can come in many forms – giving time, offering business acumen, donating funds or helping with DIY.
In Plymouth, Neil Jones and Peter Smithers volunteer at the City Museum and Art Gallery. Neil has labelled thousands of specimens for the Natural History department whilst Peter has volunteered for over 15 years running bug hunts and mini-beast pantomimes for local families.
The Tobacco Theatre in Bristol has benefited from the immense support of Cultural Champion, Simon Inch who having made a substantial one-off donation has contributed additional funds allowing the theatre to sustain and develop their work. Simon works on Front of House and the Box Office as a volunteer; he loves the theatre and seldom misses a performance.
The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra dates back to 1893 and is world renowned. Terence O’Rourke has been one of the most significant individual donors to BSO, currently supporting the “Young Conductor Scheme”, he has given extensively of his time and business experience and helped develop the business and fundraising strategy of the orchestra.
Further West in Cornwall, Dennis Arbon stepped in when the bank threatened to withdraw its finances, keeping the Hall for Cornwall in Truro from insolvency and closure. He continues to sponsor performances, educational activities and capital campaigns. Not content with the conventional means of sponsorship Denis Arbon’s most unusual gift came when he very generously donated the beach made famous by Virgina Wolf’s “To the Lighthouse” for auction. It raised a fantastic £80,000 for The Hall for Cornwall.
Ron Rudd has volunteered at the Bridgwater Arts Centre for over 50 years. Ron works on the reception, runs the bar, serves refreshments, sorts out any DIY disasters and even offers accommodation to visiting musicians, whilst cultural champion Graham Greetham uses his skills as a professional photographer to help New Devon Opera by taking press images of the cast.
Across the region the arts have had immense support from individuals from all walks of life and at all levels. From vast capital donations to stuffing envelopes, the arts organisations of the South West are richer, and more successful for the contributions made by local residents.