A new initiative launched by the Cultural Philanthropy Foundation and Cardboard Citizens will see 1000 free theatre tickets submitted into a “Ticket Bank” in 2023.
The scheme aims to make the tickets available to those unable to engage with the arts during the cost-of-living crisis. Those to receive donated tickets will be asked to make a contribution on a donate-what-you-can basis, even if that means they cannot contribute anything.
Chris Sonnex of Cardboard Citizens explains the motivations behind the initiative: “Access to art and culture are essential to the human condition, a human right. If people can’t afford these riches, society is poorer off”.
Venues to have pledged tickets to the Ticket Bank include prestigious names such as the Almeida Theatre, Barbican, Bush Theatre, Gate Theatre, National Theatre, Roundhouse, and Tara Theatre. The tickets will cover genres ranging from theatre, comedy, live music, and dance. More partners are set to be announced early in 2023, as the initiative aims to extend its reach and offer a wider catalogue of performances.
The Cultural Philanthropy Foundation are also requesting monetary donations from anyone in a position to do so. Their website explains how tickets donated by cultural organisations “cost an estimated 78p to administer”, so a donation of as little as “£10 could enable 12 tickets to be made available”.
Major charities to have invested in the Ticket Bank include Centrepoint, the House of St Barnabas, the Longford Trust, Positive Action in Housing, as well as multiple food banks who are well-placed to reach those who could benefit from the scheme.
More information and regular updates can be found on the initiative’s website.
Words by Kate Padley
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