Five Lessons from Four Years of Pay What You Can

Battersea Arts Centre has a strong tradition of challenging conventions to create a more inclusive space for artists and audiences alike. From the early days of its Scratch programme, which encouraged artists to test new ideas with audience feedback, to becoming a relaxed venue in 2020, BAC has continuously removed barriers to accessibility.

In the 2000s, BAC introduced Pay What You Can (PWYC) tickets for certain shows, and after the financial impact of the pandemic, expanded this to all performances. The goal was to make events more affordable while managing financial sustainability.

Now, after four years of PWYC, a summary of insights can viewed below.

Image: James Allan