First, Let Me Tell You About Us
ArtsGroupie is a Liverpool-based arts and heritage organisation known for our prolific approach of back-to-back, sometimes simultaneous projects. We exist to provide access to the arts and heritage in overlooked areas, particularly places with high deprivation. Our directors come from working-class backgrounds, and we understand the power that culture can have on people from low socio-economic backgrounds.
We’ve produced nine stage productions since 2018, the biggest of which, Kitty, Queen of the Washhouse, has sold over 7,000 tickets to date, playing at venues such as Shakespeare North Playhouse, St. George's Hall, and King's Head Theatre, among others.
Our work has been featured in The New York Times, The Irish Post, The Stage, BBC Radio, and Channel 5. We are a seven-time recipient of Arts Council England funding, and have raised over £250,000 for community projects from Arts Council England, The Royal Society of Literature, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. By May 2025, we will have delivered 75 free activities for communities this year alone.
Why We Need Your Help
Despite the successes we’ve had, ArtsGroupie does not have core funding (financial support that covers the ongoing costs of an organisation). We operate project to project.
We often find it difficult for major theatres to consider our work or take us seriously because of our geographical location, or simply because we don't know the right people.
As a collective of working-class artists, we are achieving far beyond expectations. The UK charity Arts Emergency has placed working-class workers in the arts as less than 1 in 10, and The Guardian in February 2025 called the shrinking working-class representation in the arts a “crisis”, and we agree.
The Edinburgh Fringe is one of the very few platforms left where working-class artists are considered by larger venues, but there is currently very little funding available to support companies at the Edinburgh Fringe, and the little funding that is available is highly competitive.
Your help will showcase our work to the next level, platform underrepresented artists, and allow us to get the attention of venues that would typically discard our inquiries. Working-class artists with no connections are often seen as unskilled, even though we have a proven track record of quality.
OUR PROJECTS
We are thrilled to have two productions accepted by the prestigious theSpaceUK to showcase this year. This is our Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut, and we can't wait for you to see them.
The Hammer and Helena
This play, based on true events, explores the witch trial of Helena Scheuberin, which sparked the ire of the infamous "Hammer of Witches" (Heinrich Kramer) and the devastating consequences for women that followed.
Helena Scheuberin was an Austrian woman who stood trial in 1485, accused of witchcraft. The trial came after Helena dared to disagree with Heinrich Kramer's interpretation of Church doctrine and his approach to preaching about witches and sorcery. She was promptly accused of being a witch herself.
At trial, Helena had rare legal representation and argued well under pressure. She was acquitted. The resulting rage of Heinrich Kramer led him to write Malleus Maleficarum (The Hammer of Witches), the book that would form the basis for all future witch trials that plagued the world for centuries (and continue to happen in some countries today).
In our play, Helena confronts Heinrich in purgatory. The production blends historical verbatim and famous modern instances of misogynist language by famous men. It presents an important case against toxic masculinity and the dangers of sexist language.
Ghost Stories By Candlelight
ArtsGroupie's "Ghost Stories" series has become one of our most successful productions. Launched in 2022, the shows have enjoyed sell-out runs for three consecutive years. We have been honoured to have celebrated horror writer Ramsay Campbell and renowned author John Reppion involved in our events.
While "Ghost Stories for Christmas" has been a staple of Christmastime television for decades, the long-lost tradition of live public readings of ghost stories at Christmas had fallen out of favour.
While other companies have tried, with varying success, to revive the tradition, we are now the most widely recognised organisation leading the revival. The New York Times acknowledged our contributions to the revival of this Victorian tradition.
It might not be Christmas, but we’re bringing a special version of our beloved production to Edinburgh.
With your help, we can solidify our reputation as the plucky working-class collective that made this tradition famous again.
What the Money Will Be Used For
It's no secret that bringing a show to Edinburgh is a pricey undertaking. We're looking to raise £7000, in order to cover the costs of accommodation (which is particularly expensive), travel, and basic production costs.
We sincerely thank you for considering supporting our work. By backing us, you’ll help ensure that working-class artists continue to have a platform. We hope you’ll share our passion for making arts and culture accessible to everyone, especially those from communities with historically low access.