Coronavirus: Software to help theatres process donations instead of refunds

Ticketing software provider Spektrix has developed a free tool to allow cultural organisations to take donations in lieu of refunds amid the coronavirus-driven closures.

The Ticket Converter Tool is a new piece of software created by Spektrix, which provides ticketing, marketing and fundraising software to theatre and arts organisations. The new tool can be used by any cultural organisation, regardless of whether they use Spektrix’s software ordinarily.

It is free to use and enables audiences to transfer their existing tickets to donations or credit for future shows with a single email click.

The company said one organisation took more than 250 donations instead of refunds just hours after introducing the tool.

Spektrix said it hoped the Ticket Converter Tool would be used across the cultural sector by theatres and other arts organisations, many of which are facing prolonged periods of closure and postponed or cancelled shows.

Theatres ranging from fringe and small-scale venues such as the King’s Head and Arcola theatres to major London theatres such as the Old Vic and national institutions such as the Royal Opera House have all made pleas to their audiences to consider donating the cost of their now-cancelled tickets.

The Old Vic said losing all ticket revenue from cancelled performances would be “financially devastating” for the theatre, while the Arcola said it would need donations “urgently” in order to weather the effects of closure.

Spektrix warned there may be some delay in getting organisations set up with the tool, due to the manual work required from its staff each time, but said: “We will do our utmost to get any organisation that wants to use this set up as soon as possible.

“We’re very encouraged and inspired by the response, and we hope our partners will be, too.”

Information on accessing the software can be found here.

Coronavirus: Industry fights back with series of initiatives to support artists through loss of income