The Bridgewater Hall Community Education Trust

With many seasons of acclaimed achievement to its credit, The Bridgewater Hall has established itself as one of the world's leading concert venues. No less important, this significant work of contemporary architecture and technology has proved itself an important community and educational resource for the city and the North West region.

Mission
The Bridgewater Hall Community Education Trust exists to maximise the educational potential of Manchester's world class concert venue through a wide range of projects, programmes and activities which take the building and its rich artistic life as their stimulus. The initiatives supported by the Trust give opportunities to school and college students, community groups and individuals of all ages and abilities as well as arts organisations and educational institutions from Greater Manchester and across the Northwest.

The Trust's work is designed in line with the following principles:

Responsiveness
Projects are devised to answer a real need and designed in consultation with the people taking part.

Adventure
Innovative projects and schemes are designed and led by respected national and local artists, musicians and crafts-people. Projects are devised for groups and individuals who otherwise have little access to creative work.

Creativity
Artists and participants are encouraged to develop themselves and their creativity to produce entertaining work of high quality. The Trust encourages imaginative cross-arts work.

Development
The Trust tries to foster continuing partnership and work which enables its participants to develop their skills over the longer term.

Collaboration
Whenever appropriate, the Trust will collaborate with other local or national agencies and professional artists.

As well as exploring the magnificent architecture a the Hall and working closely with the education departments of the resident groups - the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic and Camerata - the education programme enhances festival activity at the Hall, and provides support for concert activity and other artistic initiatives, whenever possible.

The links on the left show only a few of the many projects undertaken by the Community Education Trust. We are constantly looking for ways to expand and develop the educational outreach of the Bridgewater Hall. Your support could help us do this.

A Message from David Dunn, Chair of Trustees

`The Bridgewater Hall Community Education Trust is perhaps one of Manchester's best kept secrets. Since its opening the Bridgewater Hall has established itself as one of the world's leading concert venues. However, this new building also exists as a significant work of contemporary architecture and technology in a dynamic city. The Trust was set up in 1996 with the main aim to ensure that the Hall and the facilities of this beautiful building became an important community and education resource. Since then the Community Education Trust has risen to the challenge by creating great projects, forming successful partnerships throughout Manchester and enjoying many, many successes.

The Trust's work takes place both within The Bridgewater Hall and through wider education programmes in Greater Manchester. Over the last 9 years we have worked with thousands of young people and hundreds of teachers to enhance their enjoyment and understanding of many different types of music, dance, creative writing, contemporary design and much more. Our work is not only confined to the young. Projects for adults include the daytime Bridgewater Writers` Group and a lunchtime concert series for the enjoyment of older members of the community.

These pages aim to give you a taste of the work of The Bridgewater Hall Community Education Trust and to celebrate the achievements of the people of the North West who have been such a vital part of our success.`

David Dunn
Chairman of The Bridgewater Hall Community Education Trust