Mermaid's Friend & Sponsor a Seat Scheme Launch
Yesterday, Mermaid Arts Centre launched their “Sponsor A Seat” campaign, along with relaunching their Friends scheme. It comes as the charity faces challenges to breakeven with level funding and sharp increases in core costs, despite record attendance at arts events.
Speaking about the initiative Mermaid’s CEO and Artistic Director Aoife Demel said “There is a popular misconception that Mermaid is a commercial venue. We are, in fact, a charity that exists to bring artistic experiences to the people of County Wicklow and to support artists in the creation of work. We receive 21% of our costs from Wicklow County Council, 19% from the Arts Council and the remaining 60% needs to be generated from ticket sales and donations. Recent sharp increases in core costs and static funding means that we are under huge pressure to stay afloat. We are calling to the people and businesses of County Wicklow to support us now to ensure that we can remain a fundamental part of the offering of County Wicklow”.
2025 was the busiest year on record for Mermaid Arts Centre with over 400 events taking place both in the building itself and across County Wicklow. Attendance at events is at an all time high. Mermaid has been forced to increase rental rates for both commercial rentals and for local arts community groups in order to cover costs. Not all incoming shows at Mermaid hire the venue, in cases that don’t Mermaid keeps a maximum of 30% of box office income to go towards costs. The balance goes directly to the incoming artists.
The “Sponsor a Seat” initiative offers both local businesses and individuals the opportunity to support Mermaid Arts Centre by having their support acknowledged on a plaque on a seat in the auditorium. The funding from this will go directly into ensuring the financial viability and survival of the venue.
Mermaid is calling on people and businesses to also become Friends of Mermaid. In a recently commissioned spoken word piece by artist Colm Keegan, people are asked to step up now and become a guiding light for Mermaid – to be a Lantern, the bright flame that helps lead the way or a Beacon, to stand firm and luminous in your support for creative brilliance or to be Sirius, named after the star that shines brightest in the sky, to take your place as a guiding light and the ultimate support for the arts in your community.
Speaking about the call for assistance Anne Ferris, Chair of the Board of Mermaid County Wicklow Arts Centre said: “As Chairperson of the Board, I feel compelled to say that Mermaid is now at a crossroads. We have to be honest when we tell you that the future of Mermaid is by no means certain. We cannot promise that Mermaid will always be here with you, in the heart and soul of Bray. So we need YOUR help!
Established back in 2002, the Arts Centre has always strived to be a pivotal part of the artistic landscape in County Wicklow. It has offered us, and thousands of our children, the opportunity to perform on stage and to experience some of the finest quality artistic experiences that Ireland, and indeed the international arts world, has to offer.
As a charity, we are calling on you now to support us to ensure a bright future for the arts in Wicklow.
So Come, Sponsor A Seat in Mermaid.
Be a Friend of Mermaid.
Be the bright light we need you to be. It is only with the help of the wider community that we can continue to give you Mermaid.
