A new initiative will offer tens of thousands of free tickets to cultural events across London to those hardest hit by the cost of living crisis.
The Ticket Bank, a joint project of the Cultural Philanthropy Foundation and Cardboard Citizens, launches on Monday 9th January and expects to make around 1,000 tickets available per week.
So far, seven leading cultural organizations have joined the initiative – Almeida Theatre, Barbican, Bush Theatre, Gate Theatre, National Theatre, Roundhouse and Tara Theatre, with additional partners to be announced in the new year.
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Each organization has committed to providing unsold tickets for theatre, comedy, live music and dance performances.
Ticket Bank says it works with charities, food banks and outreach programs across the capital to ensure the free tickets reach people and communities historically underserved by cultural organizations.
These partners provide access codes directly to their program participants so that they can book the available tickets.
Members of the public can donate to the program, with proceeds going towards increasing the number of tickets available.
Cultural organizations in London wishing to join the initiative are invited to get in touch.
“I’m incredibly proud that the London arts and culture community is coming together to offer city-wide tickets to people living at or below the poverty line through no fault of their own,” said Chris Sonnex, Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Cardboard Citizens.
“It’s a real transformative act and will give many people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to be entertained, see other worlds, escape and, most importantly, dream.”
“Very rarely do you come across an idea so simple and brilliant that you can’t believe it doesn’t already exist,” added Caroline McCormick, Chair of the Cultural Philanthropy Foundation.
“When Chris told me about his idea for the ticket bank, my answer was as simple as his idea – we have to make this happen.”
