Update 8: How you can support us this summer
Three ways to give Brussels more anglophone theatre
Hello theatre fans!
Brusselers often ask me how they can support the realisation of this ambitious project. Some amazing people are already giving their expertise to the project, committing substantial time to bring The Bridge to life. These extraordinary individuals are working hard to bring you the theatre you want. But what about those of you who want to support us but can’t make such a large commitment?
Below are three concrete ways that you can help us move the project forward over the summer. Only with your help can we establish a permanent home for professional English-language theatre in Brussels!
Tell your friends. Spread the word.
1. Give your time
We are looking for more people who can spare just 3 hours to chaperone our participants at our Summer Theatre Workshop in August. The Workshop runs 23-27 August, 09.30-17.30, at the Pianofabriek in St Gilles.
Volunteers will catch a glimpse of the work of The Bridge Academy, our educational wing, while helping to ensure the workshop runs smoothly. There are three shifts a day to choose from: 9am-12pm, 12pm-3pm, 3pm-6pm. You can sign up by filling in the Google Form via the button below, or drop us an email!
2. Give your voice
Brussels is engaging its citizens to have a say in the city. There are currently two initiatives of interest.
1. Brussels City - Participatory Budget for the European Quarter
Brussels City is looking for project ideas from citizens on how to improve the European Quarter. While the European Quarter is only one possible project location, we have nevertheless submitted a proposal in order put The Bridge on the radar of decision-makers within the city council. You can help us by upvoting (liking) and sharing our proposal. To do this, you will need to create an account, which is very quick and easy to do.
2. Brussels Region - #BrusselsVoice
The Brussels region includes all the communes of Brussels (including Brussels City). They have launched an initiative to give internationals a voice in how the region is run (to compensate for the fact that we can’t vote). Internationals make up one in three Brussels residents.
We have, of course, submitted a proposal. Voting for this only begins on 1 September, but you can already express your support by submitting a comment to the proposal (as you’ll see Mustafa has done - someone who has no connection at all to the project!). Again, this will require you to sign in to the platform. Please take a look - there are many interesting proposals on there besides The Bridge.
3. Give your money
The Bridge is a nonprofit that is currently run by a team of volunteers. We have spent the first half of 2021 exploring what is possible in Brussels. Our plans are now beginning to solidify and we have now begun the quest for financing. Since I began this project, financial viability has been top of my mind. Theatre can be financially viable (i.e. self-sufficient) but there are huge upfront costs long before revenues arrive.
Over the coming months, we will be launching a series of financing initiatives, including a membership scheme, a bond/loan scheme, and a corporate partnership scheme. We are particularly keen to hear from businesses with an interest in supporting culture at this stage. Stay tuned for more details.
However, you can get ahead of the game by already giving a donation to support our work. Your funds will help us professionalise our communications output and enable us to properly explore the feasibility of potential sites for a new theatre. In turn, this will enable us - the core team of volunteers - to focus on what we really want to do: bring you exciting and intelligent professional English-language theatre, as well as community participation activities for all of Brussels.
You can donate from as little as €10. You can find further details on our website.
That’s it for this month. Thank you for helping to move this project forward,
Edward McMillan
Co-founder