Each month, we profile a different member of the team behind the success of Hull Truck Theatre and its shows.

Year in year out, we receive hundreds of enquiries about what working in the theatre involves and how to get into a career in the Arts. Here, in an effort to answer some of your questions, each month we profile and interview a different member of the Hull Truck team.

Spotlight on....

Katy Moore- Development coordinator
Katy Moore looks back on her first year with Hull Truck and ahead to its exciting future

Why did Hull Truck theatre decide to move to a big better venue?
Hull Truck has always had ambitions to create a purpose built venue in Hull, and with the St Stephens development area taking shape, this provided a unique opportunity. We felt it was important as our ambitions grow that we have more space and opportunity for a variety of new and better facilities. Also the old building looks very run down and doesn’t seem to fit with the exciting future Hull Truck has to offer.

In what ways have you been able to raise funding for the new development?
We have applied to various public, private and charitable sources and have received support from Hull City Council, the Arts Council, ERDF, Yorkshire Forward and Trusts and Foundations amongst others. We have an estimate of £14.5 Million to raise and have already raised £14 Million with a further half million still to raise through Private donations and corporate sponsorship.
When we are settled in the new building we will still need to raise funding for things such as educational activities and even, due to the size of the new development, running costs. As we are a registered charity we get a set amount of funding and box office income however additional money will come from corporate membership schemes, the re-launch of the friends scheme, seat and star dedication and fundraising events as well as continuing to apply to trusts and foundations.

Are there any aspects of your job that have proved challenging?
My job relies on the importance of funding and raising money to fuel new prospects. Currently we have applied to over 250 trusts and foundations however we are still awaiting decision from over 100 of those. It’s very challenging to wait for decisions to be made from donators. Also, there’s always obviously huge competition as we are a charity and there are so many other good causes out there that need donations also. It is especially challenging in Hull at the moment, as with the floods last year there’s even more competition for funding.

Do you feel that moving to the new development will put Performing arts in Hull more on the map?
Yes, the new development presents us with much more space and also the prospect of a second performance space, the studio should allow for more variety. It’s also an excellent opportunity to try new activities.

Finally, What is your favourite aspect of your job?
My favourite aspect is definitely when we have raised the money for example: we started applying in October to various trusts and foundations and have only just recently received our biggest donation. We are often faced with 8 months or more to wait for decisions to be made but when the targets are met, despite some rejections, the positivity of support makes everything worthwhile.


Interview by Rebekah Palmer, 4th July 2008