The BIG Give Appeal!

The Byre Theatre, Scotland’s only 5 star arts venue, has beaten off national competition to take part in The Big Give Christmas Challenge.

The Big Give appeal is a national fundraising initiative supported by government to help boost funding for charities at a difficult financial climate. The Byre Theatre was one of the successful Scottish entries into the online appeal which commences on Monday 6th December, 10am. The challenge for the Byre is to reach a target of £24,000+ as soon as possible early that week to secure matching funding from the Big Give pot.

Chief Executive of the Byre Theatre, Jacqueline McKay said, “This is an exciting challenge that the Byre is grateful to be a part of. We are extremely grateful to have received early pledges of over 1/3 of our target from patrons, donors & supporters. The next part of the challenge is to ask for a public donation, which would be a real shot in the arm for the Byre at this current time as the Byre like many other arts organisations faces significant cuts to funding that threaten our good work.”

Why the Byre needs you support?

• The Byre Theatre works with vulnerable children and young people across Fife, in particular Rachel House (CHAS Hospice) supporting children their siblings and families to create happy memory banks through drama and performance.

• Our Education & Outreach project focuses on Children & young people, including Leuchars Primary & Nursery School supporting RAF families as well as schools throughout Fife

• The Byre Education & Outreach programme reached over 24,000 people in 2009-10 and extended across rural Fife with the Byre@ programme, taking theatre and Education to schools, community halls and village venues.

• The Byre Theatre has been a cherished part of St Andrews, Fife & Scotland ever since the late Alex Paterson created it from a former cowshed in 1933. Providing a hub of opportunity for people to tread the boards in the numerous amateur productions programmed alongside professional productions.

• The theatre is thriving with over 128,000 people visiting in 2009-10. the Byre’s programme is International, including performers from USA, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France & Italy have been brought to Scotland by the Byre for audiences to enjoy.

• Innovation through new programming strands, such as the Inside Out Street Theatre Festival and the Byre@ rural touring adventure. The Inside Out Festival has expanded beyond St Andrews to include Leven. In 2010 the festival performed to 24,000 contributing £345,000 to the local economy, from visitors spend alone. Byre@ and the Inside Out Festival gained recognition for the Byre Theatre at the recent Fife Business Awards where the theatre was a finalist for the Innovation in Business Category.

Barclay Price, Director, Arts & Business Scotland said "At a time of pressure on funding it’s great to see arts organisations being creative about how they can raise private money to help sustain their activities, and so continue to bring benefit to Scotland. That is why I am delighted that we have launched the Arts & Business Big Arts Give, as this ground-breaking web-based fundraising programme offers a digital tool for arts organisations to develop new supporters and foster a culture of life-long giving. I’d encourage everyone to get involved."

All donations must be made online from Monday 6th to Saturday 11th December. Donations can only be made online at www.thebiggive.org.uk.

This is small window of opportunity to help us reach our target and make the most of this wonderful one off opportunity, please help us to ensure that we can continue Alex Paterson’s wonderful legacy to Fife & Scotland by donating online and helping us reach our minimum target of £24,000.

Thank you.

Additional Notes:

Creative Scotland (Formerly the Scottish arts Council) announced in June 2010 that their annual funding to the Byre Theatre of £160,000 would be discontinued.

For Press & Marketing information regarding The Byre Theatre please contact: David Orr, Marketing & Sales Manager; The Byre Theatre on david.orr@byretheatre.com or call 01334 468736.

For further information on The Big Give please visit: www.thebiggive.org.uk

The Byre Theatre is a registered charity: SCO13896.