The future of Aberdeen Arts Centre remains uncertain after the highly anticipated Aberdeen City Council meeting on 2 July did not address the venue’s urgent funding crisis, leaving campaigners and supporters in limbo.
Despite a groundswell of public support and a fundraising campaign that has seen the community raise over £80,000 in just six weeks, the council did not bring the issue to the table.
Sharon Catchpole, interim executive director at Aberdeen Arts Centre, commented:
“While a motion to reinstate Aberdeen Arts Centre’s cultural funding from contingency budgets was due to be discussed by Aberdeen City Council yesterday (2 July), we are disappointed that this has now been postponed to a future meeting.”
“We eagerly await the Council’s decision, to provide clarity on its commitment to supporting grassroots arts and to recognise the importance of this to the people of Aberdeen and beyond.”
“We encourage elected officials and Council officers to take this extra time to come and see a show or exhibition, to meet with the Castlegate Arts team, and to engage with the community to hear first-hand accounts from Arts Centre users and audience members.”
“Castlegate Arts would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign to date. The community has rallied together to raise over £85,000 in just six short weeks – an incredible sum and testament to the importance of Aberdeen Arts Centre to the people of the north east of Scotland.”
The ultimate aim of the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign is to raise £660,000 over the next three years, with the six-figure total covering core running costs as Aberdeen Arts Centre implements a new strategy to remain open for future generations.
Council response?
Union Media has asked Aberdeen City Council for their position regarding continued or alternative support for Aberdeen Arts Centre, in the event of the venue’s fundraising target not being fully met.
David Ewen, Communications and Marketing Manager for ACC, responded:
“The Council remains in dialogue with Castlegate Arts, providing other forms of support, including signposting to alternative income generation opportunities, partnership facilitation and practical guidance on improving financial sustainability.”
“We fully recognise and value the important role the Aberdeen Arts Centre building plays in supporting the local community and the positive impact it has on those who use it. While we are not in a position to offer direct financial support to Castlegate Arts Ltd at this time, we remain committed to exploring alternative ways to support the community and to continuing dialogue around future opportunities.”
High profile support continues
The Arts Centre team have now released the video they had prepared to show in Council chambers on 2 July, highlighting what Aberdeen Arts Centre means to the people of Aberdeen.
Meanwhile, the campaign to save the venue continues to draw high profile support. In the last week, Mary Paulson-Ellis & Ray Anyasi, representing The Society of Authors in Scotland, issued a statement:
“As a creative hub, the Aberdeen Arts Centre isn’t simply a theatre, but the only space dedicated to grassroot arts in Aberdeen. It supports local writers’ groups, providing writing lessons for young people.
The Society of Authors in Scotland Committee strongly believes the Arts Centre, an important resource for writers and other creatives in the North East, is too critical to be shut down.
This situation further buttresses the urgency for a sustainable and reliable funding strategy for art organisations across Scotland that looks beyond immediate economic returns but sees their role in the human development index of the wider society.”
Acting Union Equity has also spoken out, with Marlene Curran, Equity National Official – Scotland, commenting:
“It would be a huge loss to both the community and to performers if Aberdeen Arts Centre closed their doors. The centre is one of the only grass roots community theatres in the city and provides an affordable space, with over 35 local theatre groups currently performing there. For over 60 years, it has been an incubator of new talent, with many high profile performers starting out at the venue.
It is also one of the only theatres in the area accessible to large casts with additional support and accessibility needs. If Aberdeen Arts Centre closes, it will be the latest in a long line of community arts venues to close across Scotland and the UK in recent years, a damaging trend that we must fight to reverse.”
Sharon Catchpole continued:
“The campaign is not over yet – we are still fundraising, still working tirelessly to provide facilities for grassroots arts, still ensuring the voices of Aberdeen’s performing community are heard.
“Together, let’s keep the spotlight shining on your creative community.”
Fundraising Continues
In Case You Missed it:
After the recent success of last weekend’s Fundraising Quiz Night, which raised £1,580.41 for the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign, further fundraising activities are on the horizon, including a second Quiz evening, an award-winning ensemble magic show and the upcoming 24 Hour Musical, in which local actors are rehearsing and performing a mystery show in the space of one day on 27th July. All proceeds for these events will go to the campaign.
Meanwhile, the venue’s Just Giving campaign remains active with the opportunity for individuals and potential corporate sponsors to find out more and donate via https://www.aberdeenartscentre.com/save-aberdeen-arts-centre.
