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The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
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Building Bards

  • Removed

  • This charity was removed from the register on 16 Apr 2019
Charity no. 100359 Date registered. 08/08/2014

Public benefits

The trustees believe that all our purposes satisfy both elements of the public benefit requirement. Purpose A The direct benefits that flow from this purpose include an increase in the number of children receiving education in drama, more specifically but not exclusively in Shakespeare. The primary beneficiaries are children and young people of

Northern Ireland who will receive education but also training in study and appreciation of drama. These benefits are evidenced in the Government campaign ‘Stand Up For Shakespeare’ which outlines the importance academically of introducing young people to Shakespeare. There is no harm flowing from this purpose. Purpose B The direct benefit that flows from this purpose is the engagement and education of young people with theatre, both experiencing live theatre and participating in productions as part of the Company’s purpose. This benefit is evidenced through feedback with users and members of the public who are engaged. The beneficiaries of this purpose are the young people of Northern Ireland and as a secondary beneficiary the public of Northern Ireland. There is no harm flowing from this purpose and no private benefit. Purpose C The direct benefit that flows from this purpose is the promotion of drama with young people in Northern Ireland as a tool to enhance physical and mental capabilities of the beneficiaries, through teamwork, communication skills, movement skills, exercise and problem solving; thus giving the beneficiaries tools to engage further with their education but also life skills which can be used throughout their education. This benefit is evidenced through user feedback as well as surveys which are commissioned by the organization. There is no harm flowing from this purpose.

What your organisation does

Building Bards provides education and training to the young people of Northern Ireland in drama, primarily, but not restricted to the plays of William Shakespeare.

The charity’s classifications

  • The advancement of education
  • The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science

Who the charity helps

  • Children (5-13 year olds)
  • Youth (14-25 year olds)

How the charity works

  • Arts
  • Education/training
  • Youth development

Charitable purposes

The purpose is stated under clause 4 of the Memorandum and Articles of Building Bards: The Company’s objects are specifically restricted to the advancement, improvement, production and promotion of arts, theatre and culture, the advancement of education and the promotion of the benefit of children and young people aged 8-11 in particular but not exclusively (hereinafter called the beneficiaries) in Northern Ireland (hereinafter called the area of benefit) by associating the statutory and local authorities, voluntary organisations and the beneficiaries in a common effort to advance education and promote the arts with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the said beneficiaries and in particular: a. to foster, promote and advance the education of the beneficiaries in the study and performance of the works of William Shakespeare and other canonical works of distinction and to encourage appreciation for and participation in the art of drama; b. to promote and improve theatre and performance art and the production of works of theatrical merit and in particular but not exclusively the works of William Shakespeare by the provision of information and training, classes, workshops, facilities and equipment, support and instruction and the organisation of exhibitions of plays, performances, works and events and in such other charitable ways as the directors may from time to time decide; c. to educate and assist the beneficiaries through the medium of theatre and performance arts and in particular but not exclusively the works of William Shakespeare so as to develop their physical, mental and emotional capacities and promote learning about the creative processes involved in the arts with the object of developing aesthetic appreciation.