A blaze ripped through the rear of the 122-year-old Grade II listed building destroying its grand hall and lower hall as well as staff offices. Donations came flooding in following DONATE's immediate and ongoing use of Twitter and social media. Kane Moore, Senior Development Manager at BAC said: “We are insured and will rebuild brick by brick. The funding that is coming the National Funding Scheme is essential to keeping the building running and finding new venues for all the Grand Hall shows.” The arts centre has 70 rooms and still retains space at the front for performances that were continuing from Saturday night.
Built in 1893 as the Battersea Town Hall the building has been an arts centre since 1974. “It’s a really important part of the local community and the wider theatre community," said Moore. “It has 120 years of political, social and artistic history and the Grand Hall has always had ceremonial functions within Wandsworth.” He added that there had been an overwhelming response from the community with offers being made for office space and venues with a comedy night already being moved to a local pub. Moore said one of the best ways people can support the arts centre, other than donating money, was by booking tickets to see a show.
The NFS is a registered charity specifically set up to help other charities in the arts and heritage sector to build their fundraising knowledge, skills and capacity using digital technology. DONATE will be taking part in the M+H Show in April as part of Ask the Expert.
To donate to the BAC fund click here.
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