If you’ve enjoyed an experience at fortyfivedownstairs, chances are you understand the enormous value the arts bring to our quality of life. You’re probably also well aware that our industry is in crisis. Thanks to the support of our staff, board and landlords, fortyfivedownstairs has a plan to see us through the next six months.To survive beyond that, we are relying on your support.

As an unfunded organisation, we don’t qualify for the Victorian Government’s assistance plan for the arts. So we are calling on our loyal audience to help us raise $250,000, which is what we will need to survive the next 18 months. We know this is a huge ask in the current climate, but if everyone who attended a performance or an exhibition last year gave $45, we’d sail past that figure.

The Arts is an ecosystem, and fortyfivedownstairs holds a very important place within it. In its 18 years, fortyfivedownstairs has provided a platform for thousands of emerging and mid-career artists to develop and show their work, to take risks, sustain their careers and connect with audiences. For artists looking to self-present their work, fortyfivedownstairs is one of only a handful of Melbourne venues they can approach and the intimacy and versatility of the gallery and theatre makes it truly unique. We have earned the trust of you, our audience, by the care we put into our programming, and we have no doubt you would miss those works. This is why we need to keep fortyfive alive!

We have been fortunate enough to receive many wonderful videos from creatives who testify how much they appreciate what we do for their productions. We’ll be sharing these lovely messages with you over the coming weeks, both here and on our social media pages. With your help, we will be able to continue supporting this incredible creative community. We know this is a difficult time for almost everyone, but all donations are welcome, no matter the size, and of course, all are tax deductible.

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