Thank you for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page and welcome to Arundel’s Victoria Institute - where culture, art and community meet in the centre of town.

The Victoria Institute’s aim was to broaden minds and brighten lives. How little, yet how much, has changed in 123 years.

On any given week (before the global pandemic – and hopefully after!), our modern Vic was alive with world-class performance, community groups, inclusive events, new talent and yoga, pilates, and dance classes for all ages.

As the world shifts back to (almost) normal, we have a vision for our future. To transform our glorious Ol’ Girl into a 21st century, eco-friendly cultural, arts and community centre for all ages to enjoy.

Over the past six years, we have successfully fundraised to: Fix our leaking roof , give our front façade a facelift , redecorate throughout inside The Vic , extensively refurbish our toilet facilities , install a new boiler , create gallery-quality hanging in The Green Room.

Last year at the height of the pandemic we got an offer we could not refuse! The Culture Recovery Fund in London suggested we could qualify for some funding.

The basic idea was to make the Institute more adaptable and able to survive. We put together some proposals very quickly which essentially planned to open up the RED ROOM at the back to make it a more flexible multi-purpose space. For many years, its windows had been boarded up and a false ceiling had hidden a really very attractive Mansard Roof.

We quickly estimated that we needed £50,000 to do this – the Culture Recovery Fund liked the idea but could only spare us £37,000. So, we joined a national fundraising site called SPACEHIVE. This was attractive because it was also supported by West Sussex County Council who also quickly liked our idea and gave us £3,000! Lots of friends from the local community then also joined us and over the next 6 months helped to raise £54,785. An amazing effort that we are so grateful for.

Of course, as always happens with old houses we discovered problems that very quickly soaked up all the money. Our old Fire Exit needed extensive rebuilding, some rot was found in the floor timbers and a new floor surface was going to be needed. We also realised that if we were going to put up new curtains we might as well improve the theatre lighting arrangements at the same time

Our biggest priority now is to get the new seating system in but updating projection and sound systems is also on the list.

Our fundraising journey continues, and with your help, we can achieve our vision for The Vic.

We need £20,000 each year to develop and improve our facilities, in addition to specific fundraising project targets?

What will your donation fund?

A new, adjustable seating system for The Red Room = £18,000

New lighting for The Red Room, for theatre and musical performances, pop-up cinema nights and private or community events = £5,400

Cinema projection equipment and a new sound system = £8,500

A new floor laid throughout The Red Room = £6,000

There are also hundreds of things we want to do in the rest of the building. We want to continue keeping the building as safe as we can and some of the other rooms need new work. Our current heating system is only just adequate and we really need to insulate more.

Extra fire protection = £5,000

A new ceiling for The Studio = £7,000

Central heating improvements = £10,000

Lower courtyard redevelopment to create a fern garden = £5,000

Upper Garden project to create a bar and event space overlooking Arundel and the Arun Valley = £18,000

Why is The Vic important to Arundel and the neighbouring communities?

“The Vic is the beating heart of Arundel’s creativity, both for residents and visitors. Whether it’s a music, art or drama event, a place for creative meetings like Akin, a location for photo/film shoots or simply a place for artists to work and exhibit – Arundel's cultural centre is at The Vic." James Stewart, owner of Zimmer Stewart Gallery and former Arundel mayor.

We realise that these extraordinary times place extra pressure on your spending choices. If you can’t donate to The Vic, we completely understand.

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