Rubicon came out on top in the One Dance UK awards category despite its battle to stay open
AN Adamsdown dance charity at risk of closure has won a UK community champion award.
The Rubicon dance charity on Nora Street, which has served the Cardiff community for 47 years, was handed the hounour at the One Dance UK Awards 2022 in Bristol.
However, last month a statement posted on the studio’s social media explained that the directors of Rubicon had discovered a serious financial issue in their accounts.
“A serious incident has been reported to the Charities Commission and a thorough investgation will take place,” said the statement.
A new leadership team has been appointed and Rubicon faces an unclear future so the award win has proved to be a timely boost.
“It’s been an incredibly hard time; the financial situation has come as a big shock,” said trustee, Jonas Fathy.
“Receiving the recognition of the One Dance award was just a reinforcement of the importance of making dance accessible and working with communities, it’s the core reason we exist.
“It was an external validation and boosts morale that we can do it, and that we can come through stronger the other side.
“Rubicon dance has been around for nearly 50 years. We have always been there to make dance accessible.
“We go into the community, we work in hospitals, schools and have classes in Nora Street.
“I’m not aware of any other organisation who does what we do for the community. Rubicon is the only one who specialises in dance this way.”
The financial issues uncovered at Rubicon last month have affected everyone involved with the organisation, but they’re hoping that with the support of people and business’ in the area that they’ll be able to pull through.
“We didn’t have enough money in the bank, so we’ve been working with funders and talking to the Art Council of Wales, everyone has been very supportive” explained Fathy.
“Essentially we are hoping that everyone in and around Cardiff can pull together and can support and secure Rubicon’s future to make sure we’re here for another half a century.”
Rubicon has begun fundraising in a bid to remain open and has raised £17,500 in the space of just three weeks since the statement was published on Wednesday 19th October.
“We have raised £17,500 so far, £10,000 of that from the Waterloo Foundation and another £7,500 from generous individuals who have been giving anything from between £10 and £100.”
If you would like to donate money and help Rubicon in their fight for survival, the link can be found here.
