Exciting news for The Guildhall Trust.
The Eisner Foundation, established by Portsmouth Football Club owner, Michael Eisner and his wife, Jane, has awarded a $25,000 grant to The BASE, a creative space for young people in the city.
The BASE, situated in the basement of Portsmouth Guildhall opened in July 2024, providing 11-25 year olds with access to a band room with backline equipment, a production studio with a DJ mixing suite, a performance space and lounge/exhibition area equipped with a selection of electric, acoustic and bass guitars, amps, Mac Minis with creative software and a full Pearl drum kit.
Alongside drop-in sessions to use the facilities, The BASE offers a rich programme of guided workshops and sessions including 1-1 DJ, Guitar and Drumming, How to Build a Band, Hip Hop with Music Fusion and Harmony: Music, Art and Spoken Word and more.
Since launch, there have been over 4,000 instances of engagement with The BASE each year, with over 500 young people now signed up as members and regular attenders to the space.
The grant from The Eisner Foundation, which exchanges to approximately £18,800, will support the ongoing programme of workshops and training on offer in The BASE and the development of a 2nd band rehearsal room within the space. Consistently fully booked, the existing band room has proven to be a popular and essential resource for young people to develop their musical and creative potential. The development and equipping of an additional band room will broaden access to even more young people.
Cherry Lambert, Senior Learning & Participation Manager for The Guildhall Trust (the charity that runs Portsmouth Guildhall and The BASE) said, “We are extremely thankful to receive this grant award from The Eisner Foundation which will be used to further develop The BASE resources and sustain an impactful programme of guided sessions. The BASE is at the heart of The Guildhall Trust’s vision to Inspire, Entertain and Transform Lives, and it really delivers on this! We have seen the impact The BASE is having on the lives of the young people we engage with and without regular funding we rely on grants such as this to continue making a difference!”
Feedback from users of The BASE demonstrates the impact the facility is having:
“I’ve had the opportunity to make new friends, learn to play in bands and had the opportunity to perform in front of people. All of which I hadn’t done before”
“I love having lessons with great teachers in drumming and guitar. I have taken 2 drumming exams at The BASE”
“My favourite thing is coming to workshops and engaging with other people who I share interests with”
“The BASE is a space where I can just get on and practice”
Through their position as owners of Portsmouth Football Club, the Eisner family hold a special place in the city, with The Eisner Foundation being a major supporter of community projects including the development of the John Jenkins Stadium and charities including Spark Community Space, Connors Toy Library and The LifeHouse.
Trent Stamp, CEO of The Eisner Foundation said “We are proud to support the important work of The BASE, and grateful for the work they do for the young people of Portsmouth. Music and creativity are a vital part of a thriving society, and we applaud the efforts of The BASE as they provide access to creative resources for the community”.
Find out more about The BASE at: www.thebaseguildhall.com