CREATIVE Scotland is pleased to confirm more than £3.5million Large Capital Funding, supporting three organisations to realise ambitious plans to transform cultural facilities.
The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr; Dunoon’s Burgh Hall and Perth’s Horsecross Arts have all received confirmation of Stage Two Large Capital Awards that will enable the projects to progress the delivery of their final plans.
Gaiety Theatre, Ayr
Originally built in 1902, the Gaiety is undergoing extensive redevelopment which will put on a sustainable footing and consolidate its role as a hub for the performing arts across South West Scotland. The theatre wishes to position itself as a cultural and educational hub for Ayrshire and as main programmer for high profile local venues. As a delivery partner with The University of the West of Scotland (UWS), the theatre will deliver a degree level stage technical course, produce a greater level of quality programming and educational resource, whilst continuing to deliver their established family programme alongside a diversity of performing arts.
Award £1,176,277 http://ayrgaiety.co.uk/
Jeremy Wyatt, executive director, Gaiety Theatre said: “This capital grant from Creative Scotland is essential to the future of the Gaiety Theatre. It will enable us to address urgent heating and ventilation problems, restore the main auditorium and invest in modern stage equipment. It will also allow us to improve the whole audience and performer experience. Most importantly it will mean we can continue to act as a focus for developing all aspects of the performing arts in Ayrshire.”
Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust, Dunoon Burgh Halls, Argyll
Once the only theatre in Argyll, the Burgh Hall holds a Grade B listed status and is considered the town’s most important civic building. The redevelopment will recognise and maintain the historic nature of the building, which was originally designed in the Scots Baronial style by the Glasgow architect Robert Bryden. The redevelopment will create a multi-use arts hub, with the main hall capable of supporting a mixed performance programme, events and functions, and larger exhibitions. It will also house a café and a range of meeting spaces, supporting the development of cultural tourism and the local economy.
Award £465,000 http://www.dunoonburghhall.org.uk/
John McAslan, chair, Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust, said: “On behalf of the Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust, I’d like to say how delighted we are that Creative Scotland is supporting us in this way with such a generous capital works grant. This is a clear demonstration of the support we have from Creative Scotland and it puts us on schedule to begin works in early 2015 with completion the following year.”
Horsecross, Horsecross Arts and Perth and Kinross Council, Perth
Perth Theatre is situated in the middle of the city’s bustling High Street and at over 100 years-old, is one of Scotland’s oldest theatres. The redevelopment of the theatre will restore the historic auditorium to its original splendour, transforming a much loved building into one of Scotland’s most exhilarating theatre spaces. The redevelopment will help bring in new audiences to enjoy inspiring programmes, and create improved spaces in which to nurture talent, complementing the international standard of its sister Concert Hall. The theatre is currently closed for redevelopment and expected to reopen in early 2017.
Award £2,000,000 http://www.horsecross.co.uk/transform-perth-theatre
Colin McMahon, chief executive, Horsecross Arts, said: “Horsecross Arts is pleased that Creative Scotland has confirmed its pledge of £2m from its large capital fund towards the re-development and restoration of Perth Theatre. This will form part of the £13.5 million pledged by our project partners Perth & Kinross Council, The Gannochy Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), trusts and foundations, generous individuals and other supporters and funding bodies.
“We continue to work towards raising an additional £1.5 million to ensure that the newly transformed venue is fully equipped and furnished for a new century of theatre in Perth. Trusts and foundations, local businesses, communities and many of the theatre’s patrons have been showing their support. Theatre lovers and audiences have also been playing their part through donation schemes and seat sponsorship.”
Janet Archer, Creative Scotland CEO, said: “The cultural infrastructure of Scotland will be boosted by these important and ambitious projects which have been a number of years in the planning.
“These new developments will transform these three venues to create improved spaces and enable artists and creative people to inspire audiences across Scotland through an exciting mix of creative experiences, stimulating social, cultural and economic regeneration in each location.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Creative Scotland’s Large Capital programme supports cultural facilities, refurbishments and equipment, and large scale public art in order to improve the access, presentation and enjoyment of the arts and film for the population of Scotland.
Capital funding is allocated in two stages. Firstly, initial development funding is awarded to enable projects to develop proposals. Project plans are then assessed by Creative Scotland and if they meet the final development criteria, the in-principle commitment outlined at stage one will be awarded. However it should be noted that this does not necessarily guarantee success at the final stage. Where a project is unable to meet the final development criteria the in-principle commitment is withdrawn.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We do this through funding, development, advocacy and influence and we distribute funding from the Scottish Government and the National Lottery.
We want Scotland to be a country where excellence and experimentation across the arts, screen and creative industries is recognised and valued; everyone can access and enjoy artistic and creative experiences; places andquality of life are transformed through imagination, ambition and an understanding of the potential of creativity; ideas are brought to life by a diverse, skilled and connected leadership and workforce; Scotland is a distinctive creative nation connected to the world.
For further information on Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland
Media Contact
Wendy Grannon
Media Relations & PR Manager
Creative Scotland
E: Wendy.Grannon@CreativeScotland.com
T: +44 (0) 131 523 0016
M: +44 (0) 7916 137 632
Switch Board: +44 (0) 330 333 2000
MEDIA RELEASE issued by Creative Scotland. You too can post your story ideas for journalists (aka Press or media releases), on allmediascotland.com. Email info@allmediascotland.com for more information.
Check out twitter.com/nonstopstories. Check out too twitter.com/allTheatrePR.
Contact: Wendy Grannon
Email: wendy.grannon@creativescotland.com
Website: http://www.creativescotland.com
