Syngenta supports Lawrence Batlley Theatre's relaxed performance of The Great Gatsby
The Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield has announced Syngenta, a crop protection products manufacturer, as headline sponsor for its 2024 community production of The Great Gatsby. Syngenta has a longstanding relationship with the theatre, supporting its efforts to engage the diverse community of Kirklees. This production invites local participants to gain creative experience, develop new skills and improve mental wellbeing. A relaxed performance, designed to create a comfortable environment for those who prefer a more informal theatre experience, will take place on Saturday, 14th September. During the show subtle changes are made to the sound and lighting effects and the auditorium lights remain on. The theatre team expects more noise than usual from the audience during a relaxed performance and they do not want anyone to worry about being quiet. The production, adapted by local writer Chris O'Connor, will run from 12th to 14th September, 2024.
USA
June 26th, 2024
Bonfire of the arts as De Santis cuts all state funding in Florida
The full effects of Governor Ron Santis's veto on $32 million of arts funding which would have been allocated to cultural, museum and related projects in Florida (especially South Florida) is creating a tidal wave of protest from the shocked arts community in the state. As theatres, museums and arts groups frantically seek alternative funding sources such as sponsorship, donations and grants, as well as contemplating making harsh cutbacks to their programme outputs, affected organisations are underlining the importance of their activities as jobs providers, tourist attractions and the wider cultural benefits for the Floridian community. Press reports suggest that nearly 600 arts programs are affected, though most don't rely exclusively on state support for their activities. Nonetheless, it seems likely that a number of organisations will close down as a result of the withdrawal of state support.
April 10th, 2024
Coventry City Council reveals E.ON Next as major sponsor of Godiva Festival
Coventry City Council has unveiled E.ON Next as major sponsor of the Godiva Festival, underscoring a significant commitment to cultural and environmental initiatives and building on a 15-year partnership between E.ON and Coventry City Council to transform the city's energy landscape for the benefit of its residents, economy and environment. The Godiva Festival, a key component of Coventry's cultural calendar, will celebrate its 25th event from July 5th to 7th at the War Memorial Park, attracting attendees and performers from across the globe. E.ON Next's sponsorship is anticipated to bolster the festival's sustainability and growth, reflecting a mutual dedication to community engagement, cultural development and environmental enhancements. The festival has been recognised with the Greener Festival Improvers Certification 2023 and was sole UK festival contender for the 'Greener Transport Award' by A Greener Future, highlighting its commitment to environmental stewardship.
April 8th, 2024
York St John University sponsors the city's international Shakespeare festival for the first time
The York International Shakespeare Festival, starting on Thursday, 18th April, 2024, will see its first sponsorship by York St John University, marking the beginning of a three-year commitment. The festival will host artists from the UK, the United States, Ukraine, Japan, Bulgaria, France, and Turkey, featuring a variety of events including world and UK premieres, educational storytelling, book launches, seminars, lectures and exhibitions over a 10-day period. Previously a main venue partner and organiser, the 2024 festival's association with York St John University signifies a deeper collaboration with the university's School of Humanities and the School of the Arts, hosting numerous events on campus. Among the notable events is the UK premiere of "Becoming Othello: A Black Girl's Journey," a play written and performed by Debra Ann Byrd, the Founding Artistic Director of the Harlem Shakespeare Festival.
March 22nd, 2024
Deezer takes category sponsorship role at the 2024 Music Week Awards
Deezer, an independent music experience platform, is set to sponsor the International Marketing Team Of The Year category at the upcoming 2024 Music Week Awards. Scheduled for May 2nd at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London, this event marks the return of the International Marketing Team Of The category, which was introduced in 2023. Deezer is recognised for offering a comprehensive music catalogue, including high-quality, lossless HiFi audio and unique features, serving over 180 countries. Since its inception in 2007 in Paris, Deezer has grown to employ over 600 people across France, Germany, the UK, Brazil and the US. Music Week, celebrating over 50 years, continues to be a pivotal trade media brand for the UK music industry.
March 19th, 2024
Berwins Solicitors renews title sponsor agreement with Harrogate festival's Salon North series
Harrogate International Festivals has announced the renewal of its title sponsorship agreement with Berwins Solicitors for Salon North, a renowned series of TED-style talks. This partnership ensures the continuation of engaging and insightful events that blend entertainment with thought-provoking discussions in art, science and psychology. The next event in this season's series is eagerly awaited and will take place on Thursday, 11th April at The Crown Hotel, Harrogate. Salon North, described as the ideal gathering for the intellectually curious post-clubbing demographic, hosts three experts at each session to explore stimulating ideas. Past speakers have included notable figures such as Alan Rusbridger, Natalie Haynes, Matthew Cobb, Marie Maclennan and Robin Ince, covering a diverse range of topics from Mongolian throat singing and psychopath detection to Harrogate's notable activity on the dark web.
March 16th, 2024
Pasqua Wines makes first foray into support of international art exhibitions
Pasqua Wines has announced its support for the "Metamorphosis: Innovation in Eco Photography & Film" exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London, running from May 26th to July 28th, 2024. This event marks Pasqua's first foray into international art collaborations, building on its six-year tradition of fostering Italian arts through various projects, including "Luna Somnium" with fuse* and "SUPERFLUO" by NONE Collective at ArtVerona in 2023. The "Metamorphosis" exhibition, emphasizing eco and sustainable art, will feature the works of Almudena Romero, Hannah Fletcher, Edd Carr, and Scott Hunter. These artists have been chosen for their innovative and unconventional approaches to eco-conscious multimedia art, earning early critical praise. The exhibition aims to highlight the role of creativity, innovation, and process evolution in enhancing environmental awareness.
March 4th, 2024
Brothers Cider returns as Official Cider at Glastonbury after 29 years
Brothers Cider has been confirmed as Official Cider of Glastonbury 2024, marking a return 29 years after its festival debut. It stands out as being free from artificial flavours or ingredients and is both gluten-free and vegan accredited. For Glastonbury 2024, Brothers Cider will be available at over 100 bars throughout the festival grounds and in stores nationwide. In a campaign running until 31st May, consumers have the opportunity to win various prizes, including 10 pairs of tickets to the Glastonbury Festival through special promotional cans and multi-packs of Brothers Cider. Glastonbury Festival, a five-day celebration of contemporary performing arts located near Pilton, Somerset, England, is renowned not only for its music but also for featuring a wide range of artistic activities. Produced locally at Showerings Mill, just three miles from the Glastonbury site, Brothers Cider is made from Somerset apples.
February 26th, 2024
York St John University confirmed as sponsor of York Literary Festival
York St John University is the main sponsor of this year's York Literature Festival - one of its most ambitious yet, with 38 events being held across the city centre. The university supports the festival's mission to promote local writers, groups and performers, as well as providing the community with an annual programme of engaging literary events. Events will run from Wednesday, 28th February to Saturday, 30th March, across numerous venues in the city, including York St John University, Grand Opera House York, The Crescent, Theatre@41 and York Explore Library and Archive. Now in its 17th year, the festival has a large input from York St John students, with MA Publishing students planning and hosting the Polari Literary Salon on Thursday, 7th March, the International Women's Day Poetry Showcase on Friday, 8th March and a Zine Fair and Workshop on Tuesday, 19th March.
February 13th, 2024
Great UK Challenge Fund sponsors mural in US symbolising support for equality and inclusion
A new mural titled "GREAT Love is for Everyone" was unveiled in Washington, D.C., symbolising the UK's commitment to equality and inclusion. Located above the Little Gay Pub in central Washington, it is a collaborative effort between local muralist Lisa Marie Thalhammer, the British Embassy Washington and the pub itself, aligning with the UK's "GREAT Love" international campaign, celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and principles of equality and inclusion that the UK upholds and incorporating symbols representing the four nations of the UK: the Rose of England, the Thistle of Scotland, the Daffodil of Wales and the Shamrock of Northern Ireland. The project is supported by the Great UK Challenge Fund, a part of the GREAT Campaign that aims to highlight the best of what the UK has to offer.
January 10th, 2024
Renamed Rathbones Folio Prize seeks new sponsors
The Rathbones Folio Prize is being renamed as The Writers' Prize. After concluding a seven-year collaboration with Rathbones Investment Management, the prize maintains its funding level at £36,000, via contributions from private individuals, the book industry's businesses and trusts and members of the Folio Academy - but seeks new sponsors. For 2024, the Folio Academy will take on the role of determining shortlists and winners, administered through a partnership with NetGalley. Open to all UK-published 2023 literary works in English, the Prize is the primary initiative of the Literature Prize Foundation (also responsible for the Folio Academy Mentorships that support budding young writers). Notably, the charity is the only international, English-language literary award nominated by an academy of writers.
January 5th, 2024
Suffolk arts organisations voice strong protest against Council's 100% budget cut plan
Suffolk County Council (SCC) is proposing a 100% cut to its £500,000 budget for arts and museums from April 2025, aimed at producing overall savings of £64.7m. A shared statement by leading local arts organisations said the cut would represent a saving of just 0.057% of the Council's 23/24 revenue budget.They called on the Council to consider the merit of a small cost saving, compared to the "huge impact" on communities across Suffolk, claiming that collectively they support 24,493 children and young people and 76,516 vulnerable people through their community engagement work, provide permanent employment for 154 staff and project or contract employment for a further 499 staff, with almost 6,985 jobs in Suffolk being supported by the sector.
December 19th, 2023
British Museum's £50m deal with BP sparks fury from campaigners
BP's £50m sponsorship of the British Museum was announced as a significant contribution to the institution's "masterplan", which will include a new Energy Centre, funded by the government and the redevelopment of around a third of its galleries. The new deal, to cover a ten-year period, sparked outrage from environmental campaigners such as Greenpeace, Culture Unstained and BP or Not BP?, with accusations of "greenwashing" and questions around the compatibility of the institution's phasing out of the use of fossil fuels via its new energy centre with its acceptance of such a large sponsorship deal with a giant energy and oil company. In its masterplan document the Museum insisted, "The BM is committed to pursuing every reasonable means to ensure its financial robustness".
Contact
Please send press releases to Richard Fox at
rf@uksponsorship.com