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Another 40 years of theatrical excellence
17 May 2017 | Story by Kate-Lyn Moore. Photos Supplied.
The Baxter Theatre Centre turns 40 this year, having opened its doors on 1 August 1977. In preparation for this milestone it has launched an exciting fundraising drive called the 40/80 campaign.
The space came into being through a bequest by the late Dr William Duncan Baxter, who earmarked R553 866 to set up and finance the project.
Baxter envisioned a space that would “develop and cultivate the arts in Cape Town and the adjacent districts for all artists”.
Now, four decades later, the theatre has launched a funding campaign to secure its future and make it possible to deliver another 40 years of theatrical excellence.
A time of divisions
The theatre was built during a time of entrenched racial divisions. The Publications and Entertainment Act of 1963 separated black and white audiences.
South African actor, director and playwright Dr John Kani wrote: “The Baxter Theatre opened its doors during the most difficult time of our history in our country. There were no theatres in Cape Town in the 1980s that would take the risk of presenting works by black artists. The Baxter Theatre became the only theatre that allowed the alternative voice to be heard especially from the black communities.”
It was decided against building the Baxter in the Cape Town city centre, where it would be inaccessible to people of colour. The University of Cape Town was selected as a strategic location for a theatre that hoped to open itself to all.
“Because of the Baxter Theatre’s fortunate location, situated inside the grounds of the University of Cape Town, they could present and produce the so-called ‘protest theatre’ plays,” Kani explained. These included pieces such as Sizwe Banzi is Dead and The Island.
Funding misconceptions
There are a number of misconceptions about the Baxter’s finances that have proven to be barriers to the centre’s fundraising efforts.
“UCT covers approximately 40% of our operational costs and we have to raise the remainder ourselves. The Baxter is a UCT project and we get considerable support from the university. However, they cannot give us all that we need to do our work,” explained CEO and artistic director Lara Foot.
UCT meets the costs associated with the Concert Hall, which functions primarily as a teaching and performance venue for the South African College of Music. It also contributes an annual operating grant, to cover part of the Baxter’s infrastructure costs.
“The Baxter does not receive any funding from the national government or from the National Lotteries Commission. It is not considered a state entity and is not eligible for funding, and for the past 10 years the lottery has denied funding due to our association with UCT,” continued Foot.
The Baxter raises the remaining 60% of its funding (which covers all artistic projects, salaries, security, cleaning, maintenance and electricity, production staff, ad hoc artists, marketing, publicity and staff transport).
“Unfortunately these aforementioned misperceptions have severely compromised our efforts to raise funds,” Foot said.
The theatre hopes to turn this around with the 40/80 campaign: ensuring that the Baxter’s 40-year legacy of theatre excellence becomes an 80-year commitment to the same.
All money raised through this initiative will go directly into the theatre’s Endowment and Production Funds.
The public and the business sector are encouraged to join forces and contribute in any of a number of ways (see below).
Subscribe and stand a chance to win
Subscribe to the Baxter newsletter, or like their Facebook page and stand a chance to win every month. The first prize up for grabs is a luxury weekend away for two in Stellenbosch. Entries cost R100. The first winner will be announced on 2 June 2017.
Donate directly
Do your bit to ensure Baxter continues to produce award-winning theatre for generations to come by donating directly to Baxter’s Endowment fund. Simply add a R10 or R20 donation while you book via Computicket, scan the Baxter QR code on Snapscan or donate via the Baxter website.
Name a seat
Name a seat at the Baxter in honour of a friend or family member, and let theatre goers share in their story. This is an ideal birthday, anniversary or retirement gift.
Contact Louise Enslin for further information.
Align your brand with the Baxter
As a trailblazer in the performing arts and a centre for artistic excellence, the Baxter offers exceptional promotional opportunities to brands, which will be exposed to over 2 000 patrons on a daily basis.
Naming rights are available for the Baxter Main Theatre, Concert Hall, Zabalaza Festival and Dance Festival.
All contributors are eligible for tax deductions under section 18A of the Income Tax Act.
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