Kirkgate Arts
Analysis
Kirkgate Arts is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Cockermouth. It was registered in November 2008, 18 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science, environment/conservation/heritage and economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 06632306). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and acts as an umbrella or resource body.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Kirkgate Arts reported income of £596k and spending of £346k, leaving 42% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £174k to £596k (+243%), an average of +36% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2025, when income rose by 65%. Over the whole period it spent 87% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Kirkgate Arts sits at the 93rd percentile: it is larger than about 93% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 91st percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Applause Rural Touring (£594k), M6 Theatre Company Limited (£598k) and Petworth Festival (£594k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 24% and donations and legacies 3.5%. Charitable activities took 90% of spending and raising funds 2.3%. Reserves of £607k would cover about 21 months of spending at that rate. It employed 5 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 3.5%
- Charitable activities 24%
- Trading 0.8%
- Investments 0.6%
- Other 72%
In the charity's own words
Kirkgate Arts celebrates the arts and the creativity, culture and heritage of the communities of Cockermouth and the wider region of West Cumbria. At our venue, the Kirkgate Centre, we bring audiences, participants and diverse professional artists together and provide facilities and support to a wide range of other creative artists, community activities and businesses,
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Applause Rural Touring | Kent | £594k |
| M6 Theatre Company Limited | Rochdale | £598k |
| Petworth Festival | Petworth | £594k |
| Highfields Community Association | Leicester | £598k |