Theatr Clwyd has secured over £3.3m in private funding towards its transformative capital redevelopment project, a major step towards the organisation’s £5m fundraising target.
Theatr Clwyd is receiving substantial gifts from some of the world’s biggest private philanthropic funders to support its major capital redevelopment. The North Wales-based arts charity has taken a substantial step towards its £5m private and public fundraising target with major donations and pledges from The Moondance Foundation (£1.5m), The Wolfson Foundation (£0.5m), the Garfield Weston Foundation (£0.5m) and an anonymous local philanthropist (£0.5m). The organisation is also continuing their award-winning community work throughout the build thanks to major support by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (£300k).
Theatr Clwyd’s redevelopment is one of Wales’ most culturally significant projects, described by Welsh Government as key in bringing social, economic and cultural benefits to North Wales. It will ensure that the building, which has deteriorated with all its systems and infrastructure having reached the end of their life, can be revitalised, with its vital role, services and programmes saved for future generations. This transformative project will deliver a much-improved visitor experience, dedicated spaces for community and engagement programmes and enhanced income-generating facilities, all within a greener, more efficient building.
‘When we started on this capital journey in 2017 we were told it was unlikely we would raise more than £2m of private investment for a theatre in Wales,’ said Liam Evans-Ford, Theatr Clwyd’s Executive Director. ‘Due to the generous support of these lead funders we have already reached £3m. This is an empowering vote of confidence for Theatr Clwyd, our values, the quality of our theatre making, and our deeply important community work. It also means we take another step towards delivering a world-class home for our company members and communities, and offers another reason for arts in Wales to be proud for generations to come. We look forward to working in partnership with these brilliant lead funders over the coming years to deliver a significant impact for their investment in our journey.’
The Moondance Foundation is well-known as a major philanthropic funder who supports organisations that have a transformational impact in communities in Wales and beyond. Making the largest ever private gift to an arts institution in Wales, The Moondance Foundation’s gift of £1.5m will fund safe, natural, accessible spaces, specifically designed for the needs and use of young people. It will also support the environmental sustainability of this state-of-the-art building.
Diane Briere de I’Isle Engelhardt, Founder and Chair of The Moondance Foundation, said: ‘Theatr Clwyd are exceptional — leaders within their field, ambitious, innovative — all with the
community at the heart of what they do. We knew, without a doubt, that we needed to make
their voice heard and ensure their ground-breaking work continues. We are also thrilled to support Theatr Clwyd’s environmental sustainability vision.’
The Wolfson Foundation have committed £500,000 towards this landmark project. Focusing on ensuring the development of world-class artistic product and talent in Wales, this vital funding will ensure well-equipped rehearsal rooms, high-tech theatres, and open-to-all pathways for new artists, practitioners and creatives.
‘The Wolfson Foundation is delighted to support Theatr Clwyd’s landmark project, continuing our history of support for Welsh arts and culture,’ said Paul Ramsbottom, CEO of The Wolfson Foundation. ‘Our level of commitment — the highest for a performing arts project in Wales [from The Wolfson Foundation] — reflects our enthusiasm and support for Theatr Clwyd’s ambitious vision for the Flintshire community and for the arts in North Wales.’
The Garfield Weston Foundation has also pledged £500,000. This pledge is a crucial element in Theatr Clwyd’s capital fundraising campaign and will ensure broad access to the arts for everyone in society, through the improvement of vital creative infrastructure.
Finally, The Esmée Fairburn Foundation has given a critical award of £300,000 to ensure that Theatr Clwyd’s acclaimed community and youth programmes, which sit at the heart of the organisation’s mission, continue throughout the development. While the substantial building work takes place, creative engagement projects — including projects with at risk young people, those with early-onset memory loss and dementia and school-based civic-responsibility programmes — can continue to thrive and grow.
Charlotte Mulliner, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation’s Funding Officer, said: ‘Theatr Clwyd play an integral role in the Mold and wider Flintshire community — not only for arts and culture, but also in bringing people and organisations together to build thriving and inclusive communities. We’re thrilled to support this project, which aims to build on their work during the closure period to re-imagine more ambitious community-led programming.’
The project has also received public funding from Welsh Government, the Arts Council of Wales and Flintshire County Council, enabling the successful attainment of this substantial private and philanthropic funding.
To find out more about the capital redevelopment, visit Theatr Clwyd’s website.
