Support Boho Arts
Boho Arts is a registered charity, based in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Our charitable purpose: “To advance the arts for the public benefit in particular but not exclusively through opportunities to partake in performing arts and attend theatrical performances, the provision of drama, improvisation, film making, music, literature, visual art and other arts workshops.”
Our Vision: A world of creative opportunities where everyone has access to the arts in a more integrated society where they are seen, valued and heard.
Our Mission: To create accessible spaces and activities where communities, artists, and audiences can come together to connect, collaborate, and be creative. See our full mission statement.
When you donate, you can choose which of our funds you would like to designate your donation to from the following:
GENERAL UNRESERVED FUND:
Donations to this fund are very beneficial to Boho Arts as they support our charitable purpose and mission more generally. They enable us to be more flexible and sustainable by putting resources towards the significant costs of running and developing the charity, and the freedom for the Trustees to designate funds to the campaigns, services, and projects that are in the greatest need of support at the time.
CAPITAL PROJECT FUND:
These donations will be designated to our capital project: to repurpose a property in the city, that’s been vacant for 20 years, into an Inclusive Creative Arts Venue. We have planning permission, architectural designs, and a 30-year lease prepared to start as soon as have secured all the funding. Once adapted, it will house 3 workshop rooms, a quiet space, a small theatre (flexible as an exhibition, screening, and 4th workshop space), a café bar, co-working offices, a bike park (as well as a lift and new loos, and even if an accessible roof garden if funding permits).
We have been campaigning for this for 2 years because for too long, there’s been a lack of accessible, affordable and available creative space in town, made worse by the demolition of the few ‘meanwhile spaces’ that existed pre-pandemic.
This will be an accessible, energy efficient and vibrant venue for grassroots artists, performers and creative practitioners to directly engage with the public – and we have gained huge public support!
In March 2023, we successfully completed our crowdfunding campaign that raised £42,932. After platform and merchant fee charges, £40,133 is designated to this fund, along with Gift Aid and further individual donations, to make £44,000. We are grateful to North of Tyne Combined Authority, Newcastle City Council and Creative UK who have supported us in developing the project, enabling us to employ specialist consultants, a team of designers, a solicitor and more.
But there is a long way to go. The building is in need of much repair and modernisation. Construction and material costs have doubled, and to make it the safe and accessible space we want it to be, that’s going to cost in excess of 1.6 million. How are we going to do that you cry?! Well, we wouldn’t be pursuing this if we didn’t think we could do it – though it is relentlessly hard work. Grantmakers are listening, and we already have promising applications submitted to the tune of 1 million, and more being prepared as we speak. It’s now October 2023, exactly 2 years since we formed our charity, and the next 6 months are going to be very hard work in fundraising.
Our aim is to start the lease in May 2024 and it will take a year before we can open as procurement will follow and then construction will begin in September. Then there’ll be community involvement to finish it off and turn it into a Bohemian work of art. So, here’s to a Spring 2025 launch!
It may seem miles away, but it will be worth it. We hope you will donate and continue to support our campaign.
You can see a video and take a walk around the property with us at website.
THE MIKE BRIDGE IMPROV FUND:
Your donation to this fund supports our Assisted Places Scheme helping us remove the financial barriers for people who have restricted funds, with very little or no little or no disposable income, and would struggle to attend our School of Improv programme otherwise. By offering free or very low-cost access, we hope the artistic, educational and fun aspects of improvisation, and inclusion in our warm and welcoming community, will help their creativity, confidence, friendships and overall wellbeing flourish. If you've ever been to our improv classes, you'll understand how beneficial they are.
The fund is dedicated to the memory of Mike Bridge. Mike enjoyed improv for 5 years whilst battling brain cancer. He would get on the bus and take the 45-mile round trip from Crook every week to participate. Mike had several remissions over this time but sadly passed in 2015.
“I honestly believe that the Improvisation classes that I attend have helped me stave off my cancer. Exercise, laughter, learning, and a reason to crack on. A ‘Happy Place’ to go to, no matter how I feel. They should be on the NHS.” Mike Bridge
Thank you for considering Boho Arts. We are extremely grateful for your support.
Donor Wall2
tom harvey | £50
Anything you guys do will be brilliant - crack on
Wendy Scott | £104.37
You all deserve this. Creating new arts and creative spaces is fundamental for us all.