New accessible lift for Arts Venue

Aim: TO IMPROVE THE DISABLED ACCESS IN NEWCASTLE ART CENTRE'S VENUE, THE BLACK SWAN.

HOW THINGS ARE...

The Black Swan Bar & Venue is a popular basement venue in the city centre for performances, live music, conferences, events, and functions. 

However, it currently offers limited disabled access.

Although there is a staff-assisted service lift which provides a step-free route to the Venue space, this does not include access to the Bar, which can only be accessed via stairs. 

The Black Swan's Bar is more than just a service area for drinks; it hosts a lot of the Centre's music programme, provides the Venue with a social space, and is used as the Black Swan's main hosting entrance.

We are eager to improve the experience of those with access needs when visiting us, and make everyone feel welcome in the space.

OUR CAMPAIGN

Newcastle Arts Centre Trust launches this fundraising campaign to raise money toward the cost of installing a 2-stop platform in The Black Swan, between its entrance foyer and its Bar. 

We envision this new lift offering a fully integrated and inclusive welcome to all guests who visit the Black Swan. Beyond this, we want it to broaden the city-centre options for disabled audience in Newcastle to experience music, performance, and social spaces.

The performance and function venues that offer disabled access in and around Newcastle Art Centre's postcode are limited. AccessAble.co.uk shows only 10 venues for theatre, exhibitions, and functions with some disabled access around Westgate Road and the Central Station. 

This fact, along with The Black Swan's limited disabled access restricting its use for publicly funded events, means we are currently missing the opportunity to connect with new members of our local and arts community. 

However, the cost of installing this new lift is estimated at £33,000.

The Trustees regard this upgrade to our space as vital work to retain and improve the viability of our venue. 

To enable Newcastle Arts Centre and its venue to engage new audiences, develop its reach, and grow as a cultural hub in the city-centre, we need to improve this aspect of our accessibility. 

Article in Cultured North East! - https://www.culturednortheast.co.uk/p/late-shows-launch-for-arts-centre

YOUR DONATION

Our eventual target is £33,000. 

But did you know, donations from this Crowdfunder can be used as match funding in future funding applications? So we are grateful for any and all donations, as all will be going directly towards this investment! 

*Please note, the tip function on Crowdfunder Checkout is not compulsory. 

Newcastle Arts Centre is a registered charity and any donations will be held and managed by the Trust. Any and all donations will be used toward the cost of this project.

WHO IS NEWCASTLE ARTS CENTRE?

Newcastle Arts Centre was founded in July 1981 to acquire and convert a group of derelict Listed buildings, and to create an independent arts centre.

Established with the help of Government Economic Development funding, it won a Times RIBA Community Enterprise Award, and was officially opened by Charles, Prince of Wales. It then went on to win a Georgian Group Award for its building restoration work.

Newcastle Arts Centre Trust was founded as a registered charity in May 1989 to support and develop the programme of Newcastle Arts Centre.

It relies on income from trade and events along with rental income from its property, and has been active in arts development without grant aid since 1993.

An Arts Centre in the truest sense, Newcastle Arts Centre provides a variety of opportunities for its audience to engage in creative activity and arts practice, through its Gallery, its Art Course Programme, and its Black Swan Bar & Venue.

NAC'S VISION

Newcastle Arts Centre aims to be a leading Arts Centre that inspires creativity, nurtures artistic talent, and enriches the cultural landscape of the North East of England. We envision a vibrant community where the arts are celebrated, accessible to all, and integral to the social and cultural fabric of society.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 4th August 2025 at 2:28pm