bridiem Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 9 hours ago, Jan McNulty said: At a Friend’s event a couple of years ago we were told that the Birmingham City Council grant to the company would be gradually reduced over around 5 years. It came as something of a shock when it was reduced by 60% in one go. I believe the grant from ACE is on a par with the other big companies proportionately speaking. So was BRB getting better than average total funding in the past because of the grant from the City Council, and now is more on a par with other companies? Or do other companies get funding from local councils too? (Sorry - big question. But would be interesting to have some idea.) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 No idea, sorry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odyssey Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 8 hours ago, bridiem said: So was BRB getting better than average total funding in the past because of the grant from the City Council, and now is more on a par with other companies? Or do other companies get funding from local councils too? (Sorry - big question. But would be interesting to have some idea.) Which companies are you comparing it to? I think Northern Ballet receive funding from Leeds City Council. Whoever succeeds at BRB is likely to be constrained by the financial burden which is the result of both the particular situation relating to the local council and the reduced arts council grants. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 4 minutes ago, Odyssey said: Which companies are you comparing it to? I think Northern Ballet receive funding from Leeds City Council. Whoever succeeds at BRB is likely to be constrained by the financial burden which is the result of both the particular situation relating to the local council and the reduced arts council grants. I suppose I was thinking particularly in comparison with ENB, Northern Ballet and Scottish Ballet. I see the funding for the Birmingham Dance Hub has been increased, but maybe that doesn't directly benefit BRB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 I would think a big question is whether the Board want to appoint an AD who will also be a choreographer and produce new works or do they want someone with the vision to commission new (or buy existing) pieces from other choreographers whilst preserving BRB's heritage. Quite different scenarios. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 I have spoken to David Bintley several times in the last year and begged him to bring Cyrano back but his answer has been quite simply that it was too big a financial risk. The perpetual ‘ bums on seats’ syndrome. I did get the impression that he was finding the cuts in funding a big problem when trying to keep the artistic integrity of the company. Certainly the last cut from Birmingham City Council was a savage blow. I fear that this situation is going to throw a big shadow over finding his successor. It is a very sad situation particularly as the company is now stronger than ever and has been having great success wherever it has performed lately.We can only hope and pray. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odyssey Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 I have some vague recollection, a year or so ago, there was talk of BRB moving to another city. Not sure if there was any credibility behind it, but I would hate to think that things might implode. Let's hope in these uncertain times that there's some statement of intent from the City and other major backers that this company will continue to get their support, then the position of AD might prove to be far more attractive. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Macmillan Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 Might I suggest that those concerned about BRB's future in Birmingham and related funding aspects go immediately to one of this morning's Links, where they should find some degree of reassurance? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanartus Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 (edited) On 10.3.2018 at 23:29, Odyssey said: I have some vague recollection, a year or so ago, there was talk of BRB moving to another city. Not sure if there was any credibility behind it, but I would hate to think that things might implode. Let's hope in these uncertain times that there's some statement of intent from the City and other major backers that this company will continue to get their support, then the position of AD might prove to be far more attractive. Ah I still regret the rejection by Manchester and other bodies not to consider the proposal of establishing a creative hub of Royal Northern College of Music, Northern Ballet Theatre, and the soon to be homeless Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet. And there was an Opera option (pre-Opera North) too. There was a plan to upgrade the Manchester Opera House, and the Palace theatre was considered too. But no money, no real desire, and there were concerns re identity of NBT being swallowed up. Anyway both Birmingham and Leeds had the vision, and NBT moved to Yorkshire. As a Mancunian it was such a missed opportunity... Edited March 12, 2018 by Vanartus Spelling 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 1 hour ago, Ian Macmillan said: Might I suggest that those concerned about BRB's future in Birmingham and related funding aspects go immediately to one of this morning's Links, where they should find some degree of reassurance? Maybe I am misunderstanding this but the article seems to be about the capital expenditure on the ballet hub extension. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 Yes- good news I am sure but is it actually supporting BRB as such, or in fact suggesting other companies using this space? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMM1 Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 The Dance Hub building expansion is physically around and over the current BRB facilities and is for the Dance Hub, an organisation independent from BRB. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odyssey Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 (edited) It's always good news when opportunities open up for wider participation and enjoyment of dance. As far as BRB is concerned, the Dance Hub initiative is unlikely to have any direct impact on their funding stream. However, if Birmingham is seeking to continue to build an identity as a centre for dance which is recognised internationally, then it follows that the BRB would remain at the centre of any such aspiration. My worry is that those responsible for appointing David's successor will be under pressure to find someone who can 'reinvent' the company. (Edited to add that I recall the interview with Sir Peter Wright discussing the initial move to Birmingham - he was finally convinced of the rightness of the decision by assurances from the City Council that they did not want to 'interfere' or see the company as just a marketing tool. (Hopefully, this remains the thinking) Edited March 13, 2018 by Odyssey 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 4 minutes ago, Odyssey said: It's always good news when opportunities open up for wider participation and enjoyment of dance. As far as BRB is concerned, the Dance Hub initiative is unlikely to have any direct impact on their funding stream. However, if Birmingham is seeking to continue to build an identity as a centre for dance which is recognised internationally, then it follows that the BRB would remain at the centre of any such aspiration. My worry is that those responsible for appointing David's successor will be under pressure to find someone who can 'reinvent' the company. Yes, very well put Odyssey. It seems to me that a commitment to 'dance' in this sort of context isn't necessarily the same as a commitment to classical ballet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 (edited) On 3/12/2018 at 12:41, Mary said: Yes- good news I am sure but is it actually supporting BRB as such, or in fact suggesting other companies using this space? if you look at the St Cecilia street building in Leeds, it;s home to Northern and Phoenix as well as their community projects, the Academy of the northenr Ballet, the CAT , several associates schemes as well as the northern end that ever growing side project of Ms Bateman and Mr Kierce (i.e. TBR) i don;t think the co location of Northern and Phoenix has done any harm to either organisation and arguably gives them both acess to facilities they would struggle to justify alone Edited March 20, 2018 by Nicola H 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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