News COLSTON HALL REVEALS LATEST ARTIST IMPRESSIONS AS PUBLIC ASKED TO BACK CAMPAIGN
To mark the launch of a new public giving campaign to support the transformation of Colston Hall, new artist impressions and plans for the redevelopment of the building have been revealed.
Bristol Music Trust, the registered charity that runs Colston Hall, will officially launch their appeal asking the people of Bristol to help ‘Transform the Hall’. The campaign offers individuals the chance to help secure the next 150 years of the Hall by naming a seat for as little as £5 per month.
In order to fund the transformation, the team at Colston Hall have already secured £40.9 million against a target of £48.8 million, which will be the biggest ever redevelopment to take place in Bristol’s arts sector. The charitable trust are now asking the public to help.
The transformation of Colston Hall will create one of the best arts and learning facilities in the country and includes remodelling and upgrading the Main Hall and The Lantern, opening up the extensive cellars for the first time in 150 years – creating a new intimate performance space and a state-of-the-art education suite – and refurbishing the historic fabric of the building.
The public appeal offers individuals the chance to make a one-off donation or name a seat by making a monthly donation of as little as £5 per month for 4 years. Donors will receive a plaque on their chosen seat in the newly transformed Hall, which can be engraved with the dedication of their choice, and a specially commissioned hand-crafted certificate.
A range of seats are available to name for: £5 per month, £10 per month, £20 per month, £50 per month or £100 per month. For higher level donations the additional benefits include backstage tours, VIP invitations to the transformed Hall’s opening party, Hall membership for 2 years, invitations to exclusive events and access to the ‘Supporters Lounge’ when the new Hall opens in 2020.
Louise Mitchell, Chief Executive of Bristol Music Trust, commented: “This year as we’ve celebrated our 150th anniversary we’ve been overwhelmed by the number of personal stories and memories we’ve
38 DECEMBER 2017
received, highlighting the significance the Hall has played in so many people’s lives. “Now, we’re asking the public to seize this moment to help secure another 150 years of special memories and experiences for their friends, families and future generations. We’re inviting people to name a seat and be a part of this transformational moment in the venue’s history.
“The Hall hasn’t been updated since it opened in the 1950s so it’s long overdue a transformational refurbishment that will give Bristol and the South West a world class venue to be proud of.”
The first phase of the transformation involved the construction of the £20 million foyer space, which opened in 2009. The rest of the building has not been refurbished for 60 years, making it the only major concert hall in the UK not to have been redeveloped in recent times.
The transformation programme includes: • Transforming the Main Hall and increasing standing capacity by 15%, with major changes to the stage and equipping it with international standards of acoustics and comfort, including new air conditioning and flexible seating for disabled people.
• Transforming The Lantern into an elegant and versatile performance venue with the stunning historic plasterwork sensitively restored.
• Creating a programme of over 650 live events each year from 2020, increasing ticket sales by 35%.
• Creating 49 additional jobs by 2020-2021.
• Opening up the historic cellars for the first time in 100 years to create a cabaret style performance area and education suites for lifelong learning. • Education suites will include new
classrooms and a technology lab, providing an inspiring base to educate 30,000 children every year and increasing music making sessions by 75%.
• Restoring the historic foyer and reinstating the decorative Colston Street frontage.
• Breathing new life into Colston Street’s public realm by opening up the Byzantine colonnades and restoring the building’s 150 year old historic façade.
• Exceeding national accessibility requirements for disabled people and creating an Attitude is Everything GOLD standard accessible building for performers and audiences alike from 2020, as well as establishing the National Centre for Inclusive Excellence.
The transformation is being overseen by architects Levitt Bernstein. Mark Lewis, Associate Director, said: “We were impressed by the public’s enthusiasm for the transformation project and listened carefully to consultation feedback, which has now been incorporated to the benefit of the design. As a result, the new hall will be more accessible and comfortable, and the Victorian parts even more beautifully restored.”
So far, over £40 million has been raised thanks to financial commitments that include £10 million from Bristol City Council, £5 million from HM Treasury, £10 million from Arts Council England, £4.75 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £5 million from the Local Enterprise Partnership and generous support from local donors and Trusts and Foundations. Further information on the transformation of the Hall can be found online at:
www.colstonhall.org/transform-the-hall or by following #TransformtheHall on social media channels.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
