Money saving tips for culture

With a credit crunch hitting everyone’s pocket, new research from T-Mobile has revealed that on average we spend over a year of our lives hunting for the best bargains which presumably means opting for one of their money saving mobile phone tariffs and spending the savings elsewhere! Well, when it comes to art and culture at least, we hope to put an end to all that tireless searching with some useful tips on how to make the most of your hard earned cash:

How can I get cheaper tickets for cultural events?

You don’t need to go to Leicester Square in order to bag yourself cheap tickets for West End shows. Websites like www.LondonTheatreBoxOffice.net or www.theatretickets.co.uk and www.lastminute.com offer similarly cheap tickets, which you can book from the comfort of your own home. Otherwise, keep an eye out on radio station websites like www.xfm.co.uk and www.virgin.co.uk as they constantly run competitions for gigs and festivals and somebody has to win them!

One good tip which can apply to a lot of cultural events is that it’s always better to book at the box office and collect in person on the night – that way you remove postage, insurance and handlers fees!

Any money-saving tips for avid cinema goers with small budgets?

I would recommend signing up to www.seefilmfirst.com. They email their members a screening code when tickets for new movies are available. Once the member has entered the site with a screening code you can then apply for free film tickets.

Yes- indeed! I suggest that if you’re looking for cheap theatre tickets, that you check out Arcola Theatre’s “Pay what You Can Nights” which are for those who find the regular price of tickets off-putting. These tickets are available on most Tuesdays and can be purchased at the box office from 7pm on the evening of the performance. For more information, go to www.arcolatheatre.com.

Another suggestion is to go midweek to the play of your choice (as long as you know it’s not a sold out show). Buy the cheapest price level but ask the usher to get you a better seat just before the performance. This usually works as they like the theatre to look full in the main seating area.

Can you suggest any ways of getting cheap tickets for classical music performances?

Classical music is not expensive – it really isn’t!! It costs just £5 to go to the Proms and ironically, the cheapest tickets at the top of the Albert Hall have the best acoustics! The same applies for the Royal Opera House with cheap tickets in The Gods selling for as little as £7.

The music programme at Kings Place (home to the world class London Sinfoniette and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment) offers an online discount of £2.00 less than all other booking methods.

What are the best websites to sign up to with regards to keeping abreast with what’s on in the cultural sphere?

Websites like www.artshub.co.uk are great because they keep you in the loop about forthcoming cultural events. Sign up to sites like www.dailycandy.com, www.kultureflash.net or www.flavorpill.com, all of which offer a similar service.

Also, check out the websites of your favourite public galleries as they regularly post news about forthcoming events, special weekends, free talks and evenings etc. Don’t forget the private galleries like www.chrisbeetles.com or www.victoria–miro.com as they are always eager to foster new clients and once you’re on their email or postal mailing list, you’ll get invited to their private views which often have free drinks laid on and a fun crowd of like-minded people!

And don’t forget www.londonisfree.com for those of you based in the capital. It’s a great website for scanning at the beginning of a week- as it’s bound to have something that will appeal.

What are the top bargain hunter tips for the budding art collector with a small budget?

There are several events worth attending, even if it’s just to train your eye and get you familiar with art and the prices some artists or styles can command: