Texts give Corsham art centre cash boost
4:00pm Friday 10th February 2012 in News
Martin Campbell, Michael Cainen and Ian Martin with Lucy Moore and Beth Quarmby launching the mobile messaging service
The Pound has launched a new fundraising system for their Artists in the Making appeal, to raise £10,000 towards a project creating three artists’ studios and a community workshop at the centre.
Last week, the centre started a new mobile phone service for those who’d like to donate to the appeal called JustTextGiving, run by the Vodafone network.
So far, the Artists in the Making appeal has raised £6,500 towards their goal in six weeks and organisers hope that this new donation system will help the centre quickly reach their target and allow the work on the new studios, which will cost around £190,000 in total, to commence in the Spring.
Ian Martin, executive director of The Pound Arts Trust, said: “This is a wonderful way for us to raise money as it is speedy, simple and spontaneous. Most people have a mobile phone these days so we expect this to be very popular with our supporters.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation, of up to £10, through TextGiving can by texting AITM12 and the amount they’d wish to donate while Gift Aid can also be added to donations.
This text message is free and all the money raised will go to Artists in the Making appeal.
Mr Martin said: “In general, We are really delighted with the response we have received from supporters of the arts centre who have been extremely generous and enabled us to raise thousands of pounds already in just a few weeks.”
Overall, £154,000 has been raised to support the project which will see three new studios and a community workshop at the centre.
This figure includes donations from audience members, the sale of two cards created by Box artist Susie Brooks and grants from Arts Council England, Wiltshire Council and a local trust.
Visit www.poundarts.org.uk/ pound/artiststudios.aspx or call (01249) 701628.
