The Blackheath Conservatoire of Music and the Arts, a leading provider of innovative music, art and drama education in South East London, has confirmed a new partnership with Triodos Bank that will include new funding to support the future of the local independent arts centre.
The Conservatoire is more than 137 years old and offers courses for all people aged 0 - 100 in music, drama, art and design. Over 2,000 students a week pass through the doors to experience one of the 185 different lessons, workshops and classes at the centre. Famous alumni include Kate Bush, Gary Oldman, Jools Holland and Daniel Day Lewis.
John Keeley, Principal and managing director of The Conservatoire said: “Our partnership with Triodos really enhances our ability to flourish and grow. Triodos Bank is a great fit for us given our shared ethical values and understanding of the societal benefits of investing in arts and culture in an inclusive, community-driven way.”
Central to the Conservatoire’s ethos is that the arts can not only enrich lives, but also offer opportunities to build social and creative capital, and genuinely transform them too. Aside from providing outstanding creative opportunities at its Grade II listed buildings in the heart of Blackheath, the organisation is increasingly involved in outreach projects for disadvantaged individuals and communities in Greenwich and Lewisham. The Conservatoire works closely with local schools, charities and children’s centres to identify and support people of all ages to access the creative arts.
Beneficiaries include those with significant musical talent from low income families or who face other barriers to participation including special educational needs, refugee status, challenging family circumstances, and those living with Alzheimer’s and their carers.
The Conservatoire was also recently announced as one of only 16 organisations around the country receiving special grants from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation. A total of £40,000 is to be granted over 2 years.
Triodos lends solely to organisations delivering social, environmental or cultural impact, and arts & culture is one of its key lending sectors in the UK. In fact, Triodos has provided loans to 433 arts and cultural organisations and made it possible for 6.2 million visitors to enjoy cultural events including cinema, theatres and museums across Europe.
Other arts organisations funded by Triodos in London include Village Underground in Shoreditch and Copeland Park (Bussey Building) in Peckham. Triodos also support Age Exchange Theatre Trust in Blackheath that works to improve the quality of life for elderly people by emphasising the value of their memories.
Phillip Bate, Senior Relationship Manager at Triodos Bank UK, commented: “We believe that a dynamic arts sector is key to a thriving and resilient society, which is why we try to support and stimulate the sector. At Triodos, we know the arts and culture sector also plays an important role in bringing communities together. In hitting both social and cultural goals, the Conservatoire is just the kind of organisation that we like to support.”
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Photos and case studies are available on request
For further information please contact:
Ellie James
T: 0117 921 311 0241
[email protected]
Ed Grattan
T: 0117 311 0291 / 07817413792
[email protected]
About the Conservatoire
Established in 1881 by William Webster, the Conservatoire is part of the oldest surviving purpose-built cultural complex in London, and a vibrant and much-loved local institution. It was founded to provide art, music and drama education to the community, who purchased bonds to help to finance it, and its values remain those of Creativity, Quality and Community.
About Triodos Bank
Triodos Bank is a global pioneer in sustainable banking using the power of finance to invest in projects that are good for people and the planet. Triodos uses its €15.1 billion in assets to create social, environmental and cultural value in a transparent and sustainable way.
With UK operations based in Bristol, Triodos Bank has branches in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Germany and an agency in France. Globally, Triodos Bank has microfinance projects in Central Asia and Eastern Europe, and is a founding member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), a worldwide network of 54 banks seeking to transform finance into a vehicle of positive influence.
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Triodos Bank NV (incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands with limited liability, registered in England and Wales BR3012). Authorised by the Dutch Central Bank and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of our regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority are available from us on request.