Invest in the future of creativity, opportunity and community in Ipswich
Over the last decade, Brighten the Corners has grown into the East of England's leading grassroots music organisation, earning national recognition while helping local people, communities and creativity thrive.
Each year, BTC delivers hundreds of volunteering, training and development opportunities, opening real pathways into careers for young people.
The team also curates a diverse, year-round programme of live music and DJs across its three venues and delivers annual festivals that draw audiences from all across the UK, and internationally.
BTC receives very little core funding from grants, with the majority of its work delivered by a small, hugely dedicated team working across multiple programmes and venues through project-based resources.
This is where we need your support. Without it, we cannot continue to build on the scale of work we deliver today.
We need your help to reach more people, strengthen the cultural future of Ipswich, and unlock the next chapter of growth for BTC.
Our Impact
Ten years ago, opportunities for contemporary live music in Ipswich were few and far between. Artists often left to build audiences elsewhere, local people travelled to other towns and cities to see their favourite bands, and there was limited provision for young people.
Since opening The Smokehouse in 2016, BTC has created a thriving ecosystem through its venues, programmes, gigs and festivals, bringing communities together through a shared love of music.
Today, the team works with thousands of local people every year, creating opportunities to perform, learn, volunteer, work and connect.
We Support The Next Generation of Artists
BTC provides opportunities for artists at every stage of their journey, from first performances in intimate grassroots spaces to large, multi-venue festival environments.
Our venues:
The Smokehouse - 70 capacity
The Church – 200 capacity
The Baths – 300 capacity
Our festivals:
Brighten The Corners festival - 6 local venues
BTC Alldayer festival - 7 local venues
In 2025/26:
836 bands performed across our venues and festivals
2,483 musicians were supported through performance opportunities
We Create Pathways For Young People and Communities
Developing talent, building confidence and creating pathways into employment sits at the heart of everything we do.
In 2025/26:
470+ young people engaged through programmes and workshops
407 volunteer opportunities were created
169 volunteers were supported
2,772 volunteer hours were contributed
6.6 FTE core staff were employed
49 event production staff were employed
We Bring People Into Ipswich and Put the Town on the Map
BTC attracts audiences from across the region, the UK and beyond, helping to establish Ipswich as a destination for music and culture.
Audience reach in 2025/26:
183 ticketed events delivered, with 16,030 attendees
63+ free events delivered, with 12,150 attendees
Audiences travelled from:
41% Suffolk
21% Regional
35% National
2% International
We Deliver Cultural and Economic Impact
BTC generates an estimated £1–3 million* of economic impact each year, helping bring visitors, spending and cultural activity into the town.
Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport said in her House of Commons speech that BTC is: "A model that we would like to replicate throughout the country."
*Estimated using Arts Council England and UK Music economic impact multipliers.
Our People
Our impact can be seen in the stories of the people we work with every day.
Caitlin joined BTC as a volunteer back in 2017, initially providing social media support for The Smokehouse. As the organisation grew, she began taking on paid roles supporting educational and youth-focussed programmes. Fast forward to 2026 and Caitlin is now in a senior role as one of BTC’s Directors, specialising in marketing and volunteer management. She’s played an integral part in launching BTC’s festivals, youth programmes and venue brands, helping to shape its most successful projects, every step of the way.
“What started out as a way to pursue my passion for music through volunteering soon turned into new opportunities and a career built on bringing like-minded communities together.
“Growing up locally, it’s been pretty life changing to be part of a team that has made a huge impact on the fabric of our town. I feel a sense of responsibility to continue creating opportunities that younger me would have appreciated, and this is one of the things I value most about the power of BTC.”
Darell’s first BTC experience was standing in the front row at a surprise live performance from Ed Sheeran at The Baths, which opened his eyes to the live music scene in Ipswich. That moment stayed with him, and inspired him to get involved in other BTC activities. He’s since returned as a regular volunteer, played an active role in our New Gen programme, and performed at our inaugural Alldayer festival.
“My experience at The Baths really changed how I saw live music in my hometown. Being part of the New Gen programme and volunteering with BTC has given me the skills to create those kinds of experiences for other people, while also giving me the opportunity to perform myself.
"Now I’ve got the confidence to get involved with other community groups across Ipswich, which has had a positive impact on my life, in lots of different ways.”
(Darell, second from left)
Kieran’s BTC story started with our popular Tune Up programme. He gained hands-on experience across live events through behind-the-scenes roles, building confidence and practical skills in each session. Kieran went on to volunteer at First Light Festival in Lowestoft, and eventually launched as an independent promoter.
“As a huge music fan, the opportunity to discover what happens behind the scenes to make every gig and festival run smoothly really appealed to me. I’ve always struggled with my mental health and had initial reservations about joining and meeting new people, but I took my chance and am so glad I did.
“Through BTC’s Tune Up programme I learned by doing, built up my confidence, and discovered a side of myself I hadn’t seen before. It gave me the push I needed to try new things, and ultimately led to me setting up my own independent promotion work, which I would never have considered before. It’s completely changed how I see my future.”
(Kieran compering on stage at BTC Festival 2025)
Your Support
Access to long-term funding is becoming increasingly limited. Like many arts and music organisations across the UK, BTC continues to operate with very little core support, despite delivering a wide-ranging programme of work every year.
As the cost of delivering live events continues to rise, additional support is more important than ever. In recent years, we’ve experienced a period of rapid growth, with increasing demand across our venues, programmes and educational activity.
We’re seeking donors, partners, trusts, and foundations who can help secure the future of BTC. We want to speak with people who share our belief in the power of music to create opportunities, strengthen communities and help our town thrive.
With your support, we can:
Ensure grassroots music and culture continues for future generations
Expand opportunities for young people through music, skills and training
Increase volunteering and employment pathways
Strengthen the cultural infrastructure that supports Ipswich as a place to live, work and visit
An investment in BTC is an investment in the thousands of artists, young people and communities that will shape the future of Ipswich.
If you’d like to be part of shaping what comes next, we’d love to hear from you.
Please use the form below to connect with us and let us know how you can help BTC to continue its vital work in Ipswich and beyond.