The "You Give Something" - "We Give Something Back" Campaign to secure us for the next ten years...
The Phoenix Arts Club has been a home for creatives for over thirty years. Based in the original rehearsal rooms of the Phoenix Theatre, in the heart of London's Theatre district, it is a cave of wonders, filled with theatrical history spanning hundreds of years, from signed and authenticated show posters and works of art to many a stage prop, even a magic lamp.
The Phoenix provides the arts community with a wealth of vital resources, from a free-to-use daytime workspace with free tea, coffee and wi-fi; to a safe LGBT+ space, recognised by Camden Council; to a "home" for cast and crew to enjoy post-curtain-call conversations 'til the early hours. A world-renowned artistic programme spanning over six-hundred performances a year introduces tens of thousands of visitors to the magic of cabaret, comedy and entertainment; and provides hundreds of artists and technicians with paid work.
But the last four months have been detrimental for this independently owned and operated (one of the last independents in London!) grassroots venue, threatening both its future and the future of the dedicated community that relies on it for professional growth.
Despite receiving no government funding or subsidy, it has continued to provide paid work to over one-hundred artists throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with the introduction of its online cabarets. Behind the scenes, the Phoenix Team has volunteered their time to assist performers in adapting to the digital shift, providing free video editing, home studio set-ups, and even covering the cost of broadband upgrades.
And so, this Crowdfunder campaign has been launched to help secure its future for the NEXT TEN YEARS, helping it achieve a number of elements including: becoming a CIC (community interest company), building on its artistic programming (600 shows a year), and providing much-needed research and development to meet changing technology and performance space need so it can continue its vital community work.
With this funding, The Phoenix Club can remain a vital springboard for up-and-coming musical theatre, comedy, cabaret, authors, and musicians alike. It will allow the venue to continue providing heavily discounted rental and marketing support for shows and rehearsals and expand its community outreach programme with the introduction of workshops, talks, showcases, and networking events. Furthermore, it will allow for existing charitable partnerships to be reignited, and new charitable partnerships formed. In addition, it will enable the Phoenix to ringfence a fund so its hundreds of in-house performers maintain above equity rates where government regulation during the COVID-19 pandemic reduces the venue's turnover because of reduction in venue capacity.
So to the amazing things we can offer you... and we do hope you like them...
When the Phoenix Team met to decide what rewards it might offer in return for your kind generosity, they reflected on the many stories that are regularly discussed at the bar and in the news. From that time the Arctic Monkeys were accidentally turned away from their own after-party, Tim Minchin playing at the piano with a bottle of wine in hand, to the discovery that the Phoenix was once Laurence Olivier's rehearsal rooms. Those Phoenix stories inspired us to create a work of art very close to our hearts.
Introducing, "Are you on the list?", featuring over twenty caricatures of famous Phoenix faces, each queued up outside The Phoenix Arts Club. Can you name them? Hand-drawn by one of the world's leading artists Mark Reeve, award-winning political cartoonist for the world's primary broadsheets, Spitting Image and illustrator for D.C. Comics.
We will be listing just one-hundred-fifty numbered prints of this exclusive art piece, printed to A2 size on fine art paper. In addition, ten professional framed prints will be made available, with those contributors invited to an unveiling at The Phoenix Arts Club with drinks and canapés, where Mark Reeve will meet and hand-sign the piece.
But that's not all, a wealth of additional rewards are also available in return for your kind generosity, including:
A bumper download of all The Saturday Supershow Season 1, our digital cabaret that ran for four months during the COVID-19 pandemic.
One-hundred limited edition Phoenix Arts Club Show Jackets, proudly displaying our revised logo and crest.
One-hundred limited edition "The Phoenix Celebrity Blinds (we have them behind the bar!)" Jigsaw Puzzle with presentation box. Can you guess all of the famous people who have visited The Phoenix?
Get YOUR '10x8' On The Wall
AND many, many more exclusive experiences, treats and "once in a lifetime" experiences ALL to your RIGHT.
Have a look - and we do hope you might be able to find something we can offer you, to help us - so we can be here for the next ten years.
Thank you x