BRACKNELL’S South Hill Park Arts Centre is 50 years old.
When it opened in 1973, its slogan was, Do It At The Park.
The aim was to offer a wide range of programmes, including theatre, cinema, classical music and jazz.
Since then South Hill Park has worked to connect and enrich people’s lives through creativity.
Its wide ranging participation programme gives audiences access to drama, dance, music and film.
And it has inspired a love of the arts and culture, with its free visual arts exhibitions, festivals and fairs.
It celebrates its golden anniversary this year with a fundraising drive, Gift for Gold Campaign, that will help the centre to continue to support, inspire and entertain the community of Bracknell and the surrounding areas.
As a registered charity, the arts centre relies on the support of the community to help support its diverse programme and cultural opportunities.
Keeping the centre open costs £20,000 a week.
Craig Titley, Chief Executive of South Hill Park Arts Centre says: “the arts centre is one of Bracknell Forest’s best-loved charities
“It supports, entertains and inspires tens of thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds every year.
“In 2023 we celebrate our 50th anniversary as Berkshire’s centre for the arts, business and community and would like to thank every individual, organisation, society, business and council who for half a century have helped us make a difference to the lives of so many in our community.
“As an arts charity we are able to generate income through ticket sales and other activities but we cannot do this on our own and rely on the generosity of others.
“Gift for Gold is a fantastic way to get behind your local arts centre and help us enrich lives for the next 50 years.
“Our aim is to raise at least £50,000 this year and so I invite you to join me today by making a donation or £50 or whatever you can afford.
“The visual and performing arts can change lives and with your help we can make it happen. Thank you.”
The centre’s Gift For Gold campaign enables people to support a wide range of experiences:
£25 will give a wheelchair user access to a theatre performance.
£50 can make a difference to the life of a young carer, through South Hill Park’s Wilde About Arts programme.
£100 enables the centre to deliver an inspirational arts-based workshop in a school, care home or local charity.
£150 enables the programming of a special cinema screening for residents living with dementia, and their families.
£200 will support one bursary place, so that a young person from a low-income family can take part in the centre’s Summer School.
Visitors to the centre number 220,000 annually.
It hosts over 300 shows, events, exhibitions, festivals and films each year, and runs a programme of over 250 courses and workshops.
Development Officer Simon Ludlow says: “Over 185,000 people participate in our arts programme annually.
“That’s more than the entire population of Bracknell.
“Gift for Gold will ensure that we can provide affordable and enriching programs for everyone.”
To help support the centre, and for more information visit: www.southhillpark.org.uk
