Who are we?

Brighton Marina Studios Foundation is the “front facing name” for Marina Studios, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) founded in 2013 with aims to provide an extensive and quality timetable of classes to the entire dance community across the south east and to work hard to bring opportunities to people of all ages from difficult or deprived circumstances, who would not otherwise be able to access these activities. As a multi functional creative space we offer our studios at competitive and community rates to support artists. There are occasions where we can subsidise the hire of our studio space for certain projects.                              

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are committed to being as diverse, equitable and inclusive as possible in all that we do. Achieving these aims is critical to our vision of ensuring dance is accessible to all with a positive and supportive culture. Through improvements of our dance space, workforce development training, community insight and your help we believe these goals can be achieved.

We are working closely with other funders and partners to achieve our goal, however through CrowdFunder, Sports England will match our project which will significantly help. Our current dance space requires improving and updating to ensure the facilities are accessible to all. We aim to reach 6 key communities that are often deprived of the ability to access dance and other creative opportunities: 

• Young People
• Additional Needs/ Neurodiverse
• LGTBQ+
• Older People (50+)
• Female
• Global Majority

Over the years we have been SO grateful for the community support on our extremely successful Crowdfunder's. With your support in 2021 we were able to purchase a brand new defibrillator and in 2020 we raised £6000 to support the reopening of the studio complex during covid with safety measures in place. 

Current Studio Space

Studio needs updating | Changing Room after flood | Reception too high for access

Future Studio Plan

How we’ll spend the money raised

We are pleased to have received grant funding from SCOPE to create an adult changing space which can be accessed and used by all and we are awaiting other funding applications to cover the main cost of the re-designed and re building our reception area creating a block of gender neutral change/cubicles.

We are working closely with relevant community partners and have established a clear timeline which we aim to complete in phases and we need your help to raise additional funds to implement the following: 

• Changing signage to include bright colours, simple wording, braile and ensuring this is placed at a suitable height for all users. c.£1,500
• Creating an artist/student breakout/sensory room for those who may need this. c.£3,500
• Creating clear movement channels around the building for wheelchair users. c.£1,000
• Highlighting these pathways with easy to follow floor designs c.£500
• Offering multiple seating and table options with different heights, raised arms and bench seating. c.£2,500
• Adapting the staff/reception area; lower desk, no imposing structures. c.£3,000
• Adapting sign in process: lower height tablets, accessible fonts and colours. c.£750
• Installing Hearing Loops. c.£1,500
• Clocks: digital clocks to be added for easy reading. c.£250
• Improving the images used to advertise the studios, making sure they fully represent the diverse community that is welcomed. c.£500
• Build single cubicle change space and toilets to ensure they’re gender neutral and accessible by all £2500

More information here: https://marinastudios.co.uk/foundation-marina-studios/

Community impact

Making Marina Studios a more inclusive space will have a huge impact by allowing all students of all abilities or disabilities to participate equally in our offered activities. This will give people the opportunity to spend time with one another, and share a common interest. This interaction supports the development of friendships, as well as social inclusion. Ultimately, it nurtures a society that gives everyone a sense of belonging through the power of dance. We will also be creating focus groups based at the studios to tap into the people who need their voice to be heard so we can achieve our goals as a collective.

How our project will be United by Birmingham 2022

We are aiming to be match funded by Sport England who's fund is linked to the United by Birmingham 2022 programme, which is about creating a local legacy and to celebrate the Commonwealth Games. Their mission is to bring people together, improve health and wellbeing, help the region to grow and succeed and to be a catalyst for change. Marina Studios fully support their mission and would love to be a part of United by Birmingham 2022! We want to build a legacy of inspired, empowered and engaged dancers throughout Sussex. We're working hard to plant the seed throughout multiple communities working with organisations such as StopGap, Funding People, Team Domenica, Black Butterfly and more in Sussex to bring people together to create a positive mindset and a feeling of confidence and belonging. Our versatile timetable is suitable for ages 6 - 100+ which opens the door to hundreds of people looking for a reason to dance! 

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How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success! Every donation we receive means that as a charity, through Gift Aid, we can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give. It will not cost you any extra.

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

Thank you for all your support. The Marina Studios Team