Today we’d like to provide a small update on our immediate plans for reopening from the 31^st August. We have been working the past few months to ensure any reopening of our building is safe and secure. Though we are unable to confirm when public performances will return, we are delighted to announce a phased reopening for artist support, community engagement and business hire. Here at Unity we are using this unique moment for our industry to not only adapt for survival, but plan for a fairer, more accessible world. We are excited to share the very beginnings of these plans with you today.

From the week of the 31^st August our building will be open and available for artists and creatives to apply for free rehearsal and development space between September and December. We have been blown-away by the innovation, creativity and accessibility shown by artists throughout lockdown to continue to collaborate and create work online. As we all adjust to offline working once again, in offering our building up for free as a space to create, explore and rediscover our art, we acknowledge the resilience shown by artists throughout this time. This pilot project will form part of a new programme of work to be announced mid-September for our 40^th anniversary, expanding our current artist opportunity and talent development programme to equip local artists for a sustainable future. Find out more about how to sign-up here

From the 6^th September our building will also be available to businesses, charities and community groups. We have developed a series of affordable business and charity packages that provide safe, spacious and certified space to bring people back together, plan for a future and reconnect with colleagues and communities. We have space of various sizes available for all types of working environments, be it our light and airy bar space to our adaptable black box theatre. Both can be set up for lecture, seminar or meeting.

As a charity ourselves we know how hard the implications of the coronavirus can hit an organisation. Though we hope these new business packages can provide some revenue to our organisation whilst we are unable to present live performances, we also know that some local small businesses, community groups and charities may not have the income to make use of this. As such, we will be offering our two spaces at a Pay What You Can rate to make sure as many as possible can reconnect and rebuild in a safe, socially distanced environment. Full details of the new hire-packages can be found here.

As we slowly begin moving back into our building, we’d like to renew our commitment to online working with the launch of UnityOnline. Compiling all the work we have done throughout lockdown, plus additional programming, UnityOnline will be a central hub for artists and audiences to engage with our work. Following the success of our No One Way series, we will continue to run this programme online, allow audiences to watch back through past events and provide resource packs and opportunities cited by guest-speakers. UnityOnline will also be home to our business skills sessions, guest-workshops and streamed theatre productions from partners. The hub will launch mid-August.

Finally, we’d like to express our deepest thanks to all who have sent well wishes, attended online events, donated ticket costs or made one-off donations to Unity. Please know that your support and kindness in these uncertain times has meant more than you could imagine. If you want to find out more about how you can help, please click here.

Thank you again

All at Unity

Read more about the safety measures we have put in place here

Read more about the free artist space opportunities here

Read more about our new business and charity packages here

To donate to Unity, please see our How You Can Help Page

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