In November, the Foundation contributed £90,000 over three years towards core costs for Common/Wealth’s artistic programming and salaries. Common/Wealth are based in Bradford and Cardiff, and make site-specific theatre events in the UK and beyond. Their work is explicitly political and socially engaged, and aims to address contemporary issues through sharing contemporary stories.
We committed to this grant because of the quality of their work and their dynamic approach. The Stage has described Common/Wealth as ‘a model for grass roots theatre’ and they are recipients of a Northern Enterprises Award for the Most Innovative Theatre Company. In producing their work, they focus on engaging people who are experts on the subjects they are exploring. They see theatre as a vital part of the public realm, and their artistic work as a way of bringing people together and making change feel possible.
On their experience of applying to us, Ali Dunican, Executive Director at Common/Wealth said: “It was a positive experience from start to finish. Being able to talk with a member of the foundation’s team in advance was massively refreshing and so helpful, and being able to apply for what we needed the most (core costs) is rare and incredibly welcome. During the application process, we had an in person meeting with the Foundation’s Chair, Peter, who was clearly dedicated to the Foundation and the organisation’s it supports. He asked some difficult questions, but was interested, and very knowledgeable of our sector and wanted the money to go where it was most needed. The process overall felt open, attentive and fair, but most of all, supportive. The whole experience makes us feel like part of something bigger, and a partner in the foundation’s ambitions, and them in ours, rather than simply a grant recipient.”