User:Marelize de Beurs

The Portsmouth Cultural Trust

In October 2010, Portsmouth City Council created an independent Not for Profit Distributing Organisation to take over the running of the Portsmouth Guildhall. In December 2010, the Portsmouth Cultural Trust was created. The Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee: a not-for-profit organisation overseen by a Board of Directors. In August 2013 the Portsmouth Cultural Trust was successfully registered as a charity. The Board of Directors are responsible for the overall strategy of the Guildhall – its vision and future direction. It is made up of people with relevant skills in a wide range of areas, such as finance, retail, venue management and marketing. Each member of the Board is essentially a volunteer, offering their time and expertise for the benefit of the Guildhall and of the City. Mark Smith, who is also the Chief Executive of The Southern Cooperative, is the Board’s Chair. Attracting 235,000 people to the building per year with a wide range of concerts, weddings and conferences, as well as meeting rooms for hire, the Guildhall is one of the region's largest venues of its kind. More than 30% of patrons attending performances and events at the Guildhall come from outside of the city. The Guildhall’s role as an entertainment venue and major conference centre is at the heart of the Trust’s plans for its future.

Sold-out events in the past have included performances by Mumford & Sons, Scissor Sisters, Micky Flanagan, Simple Minds, Jake Bugg, Stereophonics, The Specials and many more. Smaller events include a range of popular Live Lounge shows (cabaret & jazz) as well as a Comedy line-up. The Trust is also serious about Classical music, presenting concerts by the likes of the London Philharmonic Orchestra (March 2014), the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (October 2013) and 10+ concerts per year by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, as well as a range of smaller recitals and ensembles. 2013 saw the opening of Access All Areas: The Portsmouth Music Experience and Zodiac Gallery, a free business lounge, and a partnership with e-commerce giant Ticketmaster. In 2014 the Trust launched Get Into Music Portsmouth in partnership with Creative and Cultural Skills and Creative Choices, aimed at providing young people with knowledge and experience in the technical and backstage music industry. They also organised two free outdoor family festivals in Guildhall Square that was attended by 10,000+ people: The Portsmouth Street Games and the Funky Town Fest. Another project launched in 2014 was the partnership with Aspex Gallery to present a brand new, free exhibition space entitled “aspex Guildhall” that brings contemporary arts from the southern region to the centre of the city. The new gallery is located in the basement of the Guildhall. With the support of the Trust the Portsmouth International Chamber Music Series, organised by the University of Portsmouth and Music in the Round, moved to the Guildhall to deliver a series of successful ensemble concerts in an interesting and intimate setting.