Support Us
Help keep The Mowlem at the heart of Swanage
The Mowlem is Purbeck’s only year-round cultural venue; a place for theatre, cinema, live music, comedy, and the everyday moments that bring our community together.
We’re proud to be at the heart of the Swanage community, but like many independent arts venues, we can’t do it alone, and we can’t do it without you.
To keep the Mowlem thriving the most important thing is to keep coming! Every drink brought in The Showbar and every ticket purchased for our cinema, auditorium or studio shows are vital to secure our future.
What your support makes possible
As well as coming to The Mowlem as often as you can, donations, of any size, make a big difference. They help us:
- Keep tickets affordable for local families
- Maintain a dynamic full year-round programme of theatre, film, music and comedy
- Look after the building so it can serve Swanage for generations to come
- Continue offering a space for community events, not just performances
- Offer additional events such as workshops, free tours and talks for all ages
Why we need your help
Running a much-loved venue in a building with real history brings real challenges. Right now, we’re working to improve:
- The frontage/external signage on our building. We want to make it more appealing to visitors and our upcoming events more visible.
- Our auditorium lighting. We still have lamps in operation from 1967, which grow increasingly unreliable and very expensive to maintain.
- Our cinema screen. Is well past its expected lifespan and needs an upgrade!
- Air conditioning. We’d like to install air con for The Showbar to vastly improve the customer experience in the spring and summer.
These aren’t luxuries — they’re what keeps The Mowlem safe, comfortable, visible and open for everyone who walks through our doors.
All these projects require substantial funding. If you’d like to help us to secure the funds we need, we’d love to hear from you:
director@themowlem.com
- Make a Donation However much you're able to give, it makes a genuine difference. Donations can be made at our box office or website at point of sale, The Showbar,or our Donations Kiosk on the 1st floor
- Become a Member Join our regular supporters and help provide the steady, reliable funding that lets us plan ahead. Members can join at three different levels to suit all budgets
- Leave a gift in your will Leave a gift in your will. A lasting way to make sure The Mowlem is here for the next generation.
- Support us as a business Sponsorship and partnership opportunities are available for local businesses who want to invest in Swanage's cultural life.
Thank You
Whatever you’re able to give, thank you. The Mowlem belongs to this community, and it’s this community that keeps it going.