Academy of Ancient Music launches fundraising campaign

The Academy of Ancient Music has today launched a new fundraising campaign with the goal of raising funds to create a new online video resource for classical music audiences around the world.

Part of the Academy’s 50^th anniversary celebrations, the AAMbition Fund will be open for donations from 28 November with the goal of raising £50,000. Funds raised will facilitate the creation of a new free catalogue of digital video content, the AAM A-List, which will feature music by Handel and Mozart alongside lesser-known works.

Introducing the campaign in a video shared on the organisation’s social media platforms, long-time AAM collaborator Dame Emma Kirkby said: ‘As we celebrate our anniversary, we want to look ahead to the next 50 years. We want to continue to be radical, to perform large-scale works and lesser-known repertoire to create a vital new catalogue of video content; the AAM A-list. But we can only do this with your help. Support the AAMbition fund today and be a part of AAM’s next chapter. Together we can shine a light on forgotten masterpieces, captivate listeners with live performances of large-scale works and invite a global audience to share in our acclaimed music-making.’

AAM’s planned video resource is part of the Academy’s work to adapt to the changing ways audiences receive classical music. In the AAMbition Fund campaign description, AAM said: ‘Technology is changing how people listen. Audio is no longer enough; audiences are clamouring for video too. In order for AAM’s distinctive voice to be heard, we need your help.’ Funds raised will also facilitate AAM’s performance of larger-scale and lesser-known works by underrepresented composers.

Hosted on match-funding platform Big Give, the campaign will run until 5 December, with every donation made during this period matched by Big Give’s network of philanthropists, foundations and corporates. You can find out more and make a donation here