The devastating effects that the coronavirus has left on businesses following 2020 is sadly shared by all. With 2021 starting much in the same vein, what does this mean for the small businesses in particular, that we saw so many of collapse?
Crowdfunding for businesses and start-ups
Major artists rally to support crowdfunding campaign for region’s young musicians.
Major artists rally to support crowdfunding campaign for region’s young musicians.
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/bottega-rooms
Major artists Rag’n’Bone Man and Rizzle Kicks have pledged their support to a crowdfunding campaign for a community space to support young musicians across Sussex.
The campaign is being run by AudioActive, a Brighton-based charity which supports over 1000 young people a year across the region. It aims to raise money for a community base with facilities and equipment where young people can develop their skills, build networks for the future and have access to opportunities that they wouldn’t otherwise have. The charity has set a target of £27,000 to reach by 21 December. So far, over £10,000 has been raised through donations.
AudioActive have been running projects in Sussex since 2000. Hip hop duo Rizzle Kicks launched their careers after attending AudioActive’s rap and performance workshops and the Hip Hop Foundation project. The charity currently works from multiple locations, usually from community rooms hired by the hour across Brighton, Hove and Sussex. They are now looking for a base where the community can develop and thrive from a sense of place and identity. To put this into action, the charity has invited professional artists to set up their own studios in the space. They will be given a discount on their rent of the space and in return, they will open their doors, once a week, to provide a free masterclass where young people can get involved or collaborate.
The space is currently an empty shell but comprises 13 soundproofed rooms including; rehearsal spaces, class rooms, an office, a presentation space and studios just sitting there waiting to be equipped and used. The money raised through the crowdfunding campaign will help transform the run down dead-space into a beacon of hope for talented, often marginalised young people.
In the longer term, the charity aims to establish a Centre for Excellence in Sussex. They now have support from Arts Council England and expect to realise the centre in the next 2-3 years. In the short term, the Bottega Rooms will be a ‘meanwhile space’ providing a base for the AudioActive community and a proof of concept for the Centre of Excellence.
The charity’s Patron, Rory Graham aka Rag’n’Bone Man has leant his support to the campaign, saying: “AudioActive are doing something to ensure that regardless of wealth or background, young people get a chance to be creative. I can’t support that enough. This campaign is a real opportunity to help people at the grassroots of our community and I encourage everyone to get behind it; all donations big and small will help.”
Adam Joolia, CEO of Audio Active, said: “The support so far has been amazing and we’re really grateful to all those who have donated to the campaign. Music has the power to change lives and the money raised through this campaign will have a direct impact on the lives of young people living in Sussex. “We’ve been offered a fantastic opportunity to take over and breathe new life into a large disused space in Brighton. We want to revive it as a hub for young people, music and social innovation and we need your help. With just two weeks to go, the clock is ticking and we need as many people as possible to join us and help us reach our target. Please dig deep.”
Burning the Clocks launches Crowdfunder for 2018
Burning the Clocks launches Crowdfunder for 2018
Brighton charity, Same Sky, invites local support to keep the much-loved winter solstice event running
www.facebook.com/burningtheclocks/
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/burning-the-clocks-2018
Brighton charity Same Sky this week launches its crowdfunder for Burning the Clocks 2018, offering exclusive gifts in order to raise £5,000 and help secure the future of Burning the Clocks.
Taking place from 6.30pm on Friday 21 December 2018, the Burning the Clocks parade runs from New Road to the seafront, with around 2,000 participants and more than 20,000 onlookers.
Depending on the size of their donation, crowdfunding investors will be rewarded with personalised lanterns, the privilege of lighting the event’s bonfire or a 3-course dinner for two at The Ivy in the Lanes.
For the third successive year, ARKA Original Funerals will support Burning the Clocks with ‘In Memory’ lanterns for those who have lost a loved one during the year. These packages, each worth £100, include a lantern workshop invitation, joining the parade and the reading of the chosen loved one’s name during the fireshow finale.
Local restaurant, The Chilli Pickle, is sponsoring the event, adding a donation of £1 to every table bill from 1 November until 21 December, which will go towards helping Same Sky reach their fundraising target for this year’s Burning the Clocks. Same Sky will also be partnering with childhood bereavement charity, Winston’s Wish, offering local young people a lantern-making workshop, so that they can join the parade and remember their loved ones in this special way.
Burning the Clocks receives no guaranteed funding and relies on fundraising and support from local business and the community to raise the costs needed to cover the event, which is in excess of £30,000. Anyone watching the parade is encouraged to put any spare cash into the donation buckets on the night to help fund the event and secure its future.
John Varah, Same Sky artistic director, said: “We’re bringing our crowdfunding initiative back for the sixth consecutive year, as it goes such a long way to keeping Burning the Clocks alive.
“Each year Same Sky relies on the generosity of the general public to make donations along the event route, as well as supporting our online crowdfunder. Our Winter Solstice parade has been an iconic part of Brighton’s calendar for more than two decades, but we rely on the support of local residents and sponsors to make it happen.
“We’ve had a bit of a turbulent year, having lost Same Sky’s home, our artistic studio – but this has made us even more determined to ensure the event remains a part of the city’s winter offering.”
The theme for Burning the Clocks 2018 is ‘Remembrance’. Event organisers Same Sky have created a large-scale lantern in the shape of a heart for this year’s event. This will be surrounded by smaller Remembrance hearts carried by procession-goers on the night of the parade.
As in previous years, Brighton residents can purchase lantern packs to take part in the parade (costing £30-£33, available from early November). Lantern packs contain materials, instructions and four wristbands for four people to take part in the parade. They will be available for purchase at Brighton Pavilion, HISBE supermarket in York Place, the Wood Store on Elder Place and Book Nook in Hove.
Local artist Graham Carter has generously created a new limited edition print for Burning the Clocks for the sixth year running. These are also on sale to raise funds, with 80 limited edition designs created around this year’s theme of ‘Remembrance’.
For more information on purchasing lantern packs and Graham Carter’s prints, visit Same Sky’s Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/SameSkyBtn/. Businesses and restaurants interested in getting involved with the event as a sponsor or participant should contact jasmine@samesky.co.uk.