Britten Sinfonia is being cut from Arts Council England’s National Portfolio - a loss of 100% of its regular public funding and thus a shortfall of £1m over three years. Image credit: Shutterstock.
In November 2022, Britten Sinfonia learnt that it was being cut from Arts Council England’s National Portfolio and would therefore be losing all of its public funding.
In response, the Orchestra has now launched its Play On appeal, which asks for contributions to help replace the £1m it is losing, so that Britten Sinfonia’s future can be secured.
More than an Orchestra
Rooted in the East of England, it is the only resident professional orchestra that also has a national and international reputation as one of the best ensembles playing today. It is known for its adventurous programming and high-quality performances, but also for acclaimed nurturing of new talent and work with schools, hospital patients and communities across its home region.
It’s future plans include:
- Surround Sound Playlist: innovative experiences in East of England cathedrals and unusual spaces, designed to be enjoyed by people who have never been to a classical music event before.
- An expansion of its work in schools and hospitals, and with people living with life-limiting conditions, empowering people to use music to enhance their lives.
- Music on Your Doorstep: a year-round programme of cross-generational musical activities and concerts in East of England towns under-served by arts organisations.
However in April, Britten Sinfonia is being cut from Arts Council England’s National Portfolio - a loss of 100% of its regular public funding and thus a shortfall of £1m over three years.
Donate to the appeal
You can read more and donate to the Play On appeal here, where you can also learn more about how your donation helps and how contributions will be used.
Britten Sinfonia Chief Executive and Artistic Director, Meurig Bowen, says:
“We are so proud of the range and quality of our work, and are determined that this loss of ACE funding will not decrease or degrade what we do. The collective belief in the importance of this – for audiences, communities and the wider cultural ecology – is too great for that to happen”.
About Britten Sinfonia
Today Britten Sinfonia is heralded as one of the world’s leading ensembles and its philosophy of adventure and reinvention has inspired a new movement of emerging chamber groups.
It is an Associate Ensemble at London’s Barbican, Resident Orchestra at Saffron Hall in Essex and has residencies in Norwich and Cambridge. It performs an annual chamber music series at London’s Wigmore Hall and appears regularly at major UK festivals including the Aldeburgh, Brighton, Norfolk and Norwich Festivals and the BBC Proms.
The orchestra has performed a live broadcast to more than a million people worldwide from the Sistine Chapel, and toured to the US, Asia and much of Europe. It is a BBC Radio 3 Broadcast Partner and has award-winning recordings on the Hyperion and Harmonia Mundi labels.