Supporting the Arts in Basingstoke

It has been a very difficult time for many people during the pandemic and the Arts have been hit particularly hard. Prior to Lockdown, Teresa Hook, who led on Young Arts Volunteering for a number of years, began negotiations with the Anvil and Proteus to see how we might support their work with young people. They came up with two initiatives that we have been able to support with a grant of £250 each.

The Anvil is going to use the money to support the purchase of instruments for their Musication Station. This is an event that happens several times a year and provides an opportunity for young people to experience playing musical instruments with the help of musicians. Julia Townsend-Rose met the organizers at their stand in the Town Centre over the half-term holiday and they told her how grateful they are for our support.

The Musication Station | Anvil Arts

The next Musication Station will take place Saturday 11th - Sunday 19th December at Basingstoke Sports Centre.

Proteus Theatre Company

For many years, Proteus Theatre Company has been a lively, creative centre in our town. It does a great deal to support and provide a venue for young creatives in Basingstoke.

We applied for a Community Grant from the Arts Society to support a week-long development process of a new musical, ‘Mermaids’, co-created by Harry Blake and Jennifer Fletcher. I am sure we will all be interested to see it when it finally hits the stage. News - Proteus (proteustheatre.com)

Basingstoke Music and Arts Festival

For the past two years we have also supported the Basingstoke Music and Arts Festival with a bursary to a young player. This year £250 was awarded to a young flautist who received high marks in the 2021 Festival, which was held online.

The money has been put towards the purchase of a new flute. This bursary will be available again next year and young people are asked to apply, following the instructions in the festival programme.