Record-breaking donations support Theatr Clwyd redevelopment

Theatr Clwyd has secured over £5.3 million from trusts, foundations, and private donors, setting a new fundraising record for a theatre in Wales.

This impressive sum will help fund the major redevelopment of the theatre.

Executive Director Liam Evans-Ford expressed his gratitude for the unprecedented level of support:

“When you start projects of this scale, the funding can feel daunting. We were advised that raising more than £2 million in Wales would be unlikely. Thanks to the belief and support of our funders, we are creating a world-class venue and a cultural home for the community.”

Among the major contributors, the Moondance Foundation’s donation of over £1 million stands out as the largest private gift ever made to a Welsh cultural organisation.

In recognition of this generosity, Theatr Clwyd’s main theatre will be renamed the Moondance Theatre.

The foundation’s support will help fund new spaces for community use and infrastructure improvements, including efforts to reduce the building’s carbon footprint.

The Garfield Weston Foundation also made a significant contribution of £500,000, ensuring greater access to the arts by improving creative resources.

The theatre’s second performance space will be named the Weston Theatre in appreciation. Other major donations include £500,000 from the Wolfson Foundation for world-class facilities, leading to the naming of the new Wolfson Foyer.

A private philanthropist from North Wales also made an early-stage contribution of £500,000, which acted as a catalyst for further funding.

The new indoor and outdoor play areas will be named in their honour.

Additional contributions have come from several prominent foundations, including the Foyle Foundation, Backstage Trust, Clore Duffield Foundation, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

These gifts will support various new spaces, including dedicated rooms for community engagement, young people’s activities, and improved accessibility.

The redevelopment is set to transform Theatr Clwyd into a more efficient and inclusive cultural hub, providing enhanced facilities for visitors and generating vital income for future sustainability. T

he project will help the theatre further its mission to serve as a key cultural resource for North Wales.

The project has also been supported by smaller grants, including £36,905 from the Welsh Government’s Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme, which will fund green initiatives like a living wall to promote biodiversity.

Theatr Clwyd’s redevelopment is among Wales’ most significant cultural projects, with a focus on creating an inclusive, sustainable, and world-class space for the arts.

To learn more about the redevelopment, visit Theatr Clwyd’s website.