Arts for Impact Week | March 2026
6 Mar 2026
Starting at noon on Tuesday 17th March, Bristol Old Vic will be taking part in The Big Give Arts For Impact Week. Arts For Impact Week is an annual fundraising week where all donations made via The Big Give website will be doubled! The week runs from Tuesday 17th March- Tuesday 24th March, so mark your calendars!
What are we raising money for?
This year, Bristol Old Vic will be aiming to raise £10,000 towards our Made In Bristol 260 project. Made in Bristol is a free training programme for young theatre makers aged 18-25 in Bristol. This year’s Made In Bristol 260 programme is centred around Theatre in Education. The funds raised will directly support the touring aspect of the project, when the ensemble will tour two plays around secondary schools throughout Bristol. Your donations will allow us to offer free performances to schools who may not otherwise have access to theatre.
What will the shows be?
We are teaming Made in Bristol up with our Five Year Commitment Writers initiative to create two pieces of high-quality theatre for young people. The plays will wrestle with British identity, interrogating what it means to be British in 2026 and celebrating the brilliant young people of our city. The plays will be directed by Bristol Old Vic Associate Artistic Director Rikki Henry and Literary & Directors Associate Lisa Gregan.
Why is a theatre in education tour needed?
As access to the arts in school declines, projects like the Made In Bristol tour are needed more than ever. Today, schools are less likely to bring their young people to the theatre than ever before, with theatre leaders labelling an “emergency” for access to the industry (The Stage 2025). In addition, nationally there has been a reduction in dynamic and original new work that is taken directly into schools. This is creating a generation of pupils who could go their entire academic life without experiencing theatre.
“Seeing good live theatre in school inspires students to truly develop key cultural, social, and moral aspects of learning. Seeing a story being bought to life through theatre supports a range of transferable skills like oracy, resourcefulness, and empathy and evokes a love of school, the Arts and life-long learning.”
Rebecca Pierce, Head of Drama at City Academy
“Experiencing live theatre is a vital part of a young person’s education. By bringing high-quality performances directly into schools, Bristol Old Vic is ensuring that all students have access to that magic, not just those who can afford the cost or logistics of a trip to the theatre. This initiative breaks down barriers and makes the transformative power of live performance truly accessible to every young person in our city”.
Ross Geoghegan, Faculty Leader for Performing Arts at Cotham School
