You can no longer afford to think just about short-term fundraising – to plan for the future you need to develop innovative strategies for income building on local, national and international levels from both public and private sources.
Recent changes to the funding landscape present both challenges and opportunities for independent film exhibitors. How should you be adapting your approach to access new funding streams? How can you broaden your organisation’s income portfolio to become less reliant on public funding?
This two-day course presents a timely opportunity to step back and reassess your organisation’s income building strategy to secure its future.
What does the course cover?
- Assess your organisation strategically and look at its strengths and weaknesses in terms of income building;
- Gain insight into the invigorating impact of capital investment on financial return, footfall and local community presence;
- Evaluate your core business and identify potential avenues of revenue within your venue;
- Explore government policy and the current public funding landscape including opportunities to access local, national and international funding;
- Get practical advice on research and pitching to corporate sponsors;
- Discover and debate the creative ways other exhibitors and arts organisations are generating income: online and offline individual giving, ticket levies, VOD, brand partnerships, DCP creation, merchandising;
- Brainstorm innovative ideas: philanthropy, partnerships, equity crowdsourcing;
- Develop a template from which you can devise an in-depth, practical and realistic income building strategy for your own organisation.
A wealth of practical advice will be shared by exhibitors who have successfully broadened their income portfolio to become less reliant on public funding, alongside contributions from business professionals and the funders themselves. Inspiring case studies will be complimented by practical group workshops and peer-led discussion to encourage learning from other’s experiences and share challenges and opportunities.
Who are the speakers?
The course will be led by the ICO’s David Sin, Head of Cinemas and our range of expert guest speakers include income building practitioners working in film exhibition, funders and creative industry business professionals:
- Jay Arnold, Senior Manager UK Wide Partnerships, BFI
- Kate Rich, Project Freehold, CUBE Bristol
- Steve Mapp, CEO, Broadway Nottingham
- Rebecca del Tufo, Programming and Business Manager, Saffron Screen
- Julie Simpson, HR Manager, Showroom Sheffield
- Michael Pierce, Co-Founder, Cinema Nation
- Carmen Slijpen, Project Manager, The Depot
- Alison Gardner, Head of Cinemas / Co-ordinator, Glasgow Film Theatre
Who is the course for?
This course is ideal for directors, fundraisers, managers, administrators and board members from independent cinemas and mixed arts venues across the UK. Staff from community cinemas, film festivals, support organisations and pop-up cinemas may also benefit from attending – please get in touch if you have any queries or would like to discuss further.
This is an advanced level course for professionals who have experience in income building and now want to take the next step in shaping their organisation’s strategy. Participants should have at least three year’s film industry or related experience (paid or voluntary, continuous or non-continuous) – please get in touch if you’re not sure.
Fees
£180 + VAT = £216 (subsidised by Creative Skillset and the ICO). Fees include refreshments, lunch and networking dinner.
Bursaries for fees (£130 + VAT = £156), travel, accommodation and childcare are available.