Mannin Music (a group of music teachers on the Isle of Man) are currently fundraising to open a purpose-built rehearsal venue for performing arts and community groups on the Isle of Man. This venue would voluntarily administrated by the Mannin Music team, and would be a not for profit venture, with any money generated being invested back into the venue.

Through our experience of renting numerous different venues around the Island, and from feedback from other arts professionals, we believe that this is a space that the Island desperately needs. Our goal is to provide rehearsal spaces that are fit for purpose, fully equipped and fairly priced.

A project like this needs to be purpose-built, but to build from scratch would obviously cost millions.... Our plan is to use a warehouse as an empty space, and then construct the internals to our specifications. The proposal is to have 1 large rehearsal room (the size of the gaiety stage), 2 medium size rooms (perfect for group lessons, band rehearsals etc.) and around 4 individual teaching rooms (as well as a foyer, toilets, storage etc.).

We will be approaching various funding bodies and looking for corporate sponsorship, but many of our teachers and students are going to be beginning fundraising from September - every little counts!

To help fundraise for this cause further, many of our teachers have just embarked upon a 'grade-one-athon' challenge. This will see them starting to learn a musical instrument that they have never played before and take their ABRSM grade 1 practical exam in less than 6 weeks. The pressure is on!