Two arts organisations in Aberdeen are amongst those to have received substantial funding from Creative Scotland.
Aberdeen Performing Arts, which operates several local venues including His Majesty’s Theatre and The Lemon Tree, has been awarded just under £1.7 million over the next three years. This represents an increase from their previous funding allocation, providing a much-needed boost to the organisation.
As well as HMT, the Music Hall and the Lemon Tree, APA runs five festivals per year, alongside outreach programmes and creative engagement projects.
The arts organisation stated that the funds will enable them to continue delivering high-quality cultural programmes, despite the ongoing pressures of escalating costs.
Sharon Burgess, CEO of Aberdeen Performing Arts, said: “This additional funding from Creative Scotland is a ringing endorsement of the impact we have on the region’s cultural life. This support will enable us to not only tackle rising costs but also grow our services and inspire even more communities across Aberdeen and the wider area.
“The outcome allows us to continue delivering exceptional cultural services to our audiences and communities. We will work creatively and strategically to maximise this funding, ensuring the quality of our programmes and services remains at the heart of what we do.”
Edel Harris OBE, Chair of Aberdeen Performing Arts, added: “This increased funding highlights the significance of arts and culture in fostering socio-economic growth in our region. It empowers us to remain at the forefront of creativity and community cohesion, providing vital opportunities for people of all ages.”
Meanwhile, the Belmont Cinema, Aberdeen’s only independent cinema, has moved a step closer to reopening after receiving a £500,000 cash injection from Creative Scotland. This funding boost has reinvigorated hopes for the cinema’s revival after its abrupt closure in October 2022.
In 2023, the cinema was bought by a newly formed community group dedicated to restoring the film theatre to its former glory.
So far, a strong fundraising campaign had brought in £600,000, but Creative Scotland’s decision, made on Thursday [30th Jan], brings that total to over the £1 million mark.
Matt Buchanan, the Belmont’s new chief executive, was elated about the funding, describing it as a “massive vote of confidence” in their vision.
He stated: “We’re absolutely delighted. This shows that what we’re proposing is on the money.”
Buchanan’s enthusiasm was palpable as he declared: “It’s a matter of when, not if, It’s happening.”
The funding for the Belmont Cinema is part of a larger £3 million renovation project aimed at restoring the beloved filmhouse to its former glory. While the reopening date remains uncertain, Buchanan expressed his determination to create something extraordinary for Aberdeen’s film enthusiasts, saying, “We don’t want to just open another cinema. We want to make sure this is amazing for Aberdonians who have been starved of independent cinema since the Belmont shut.”
Both of these funding allocations are part of a broader £200 million package from Creative Scotland, benefiting 251 arts organisations across Scotland.
The initiative has been described as “transformational” by the Scottish government, reflecting a renewed commitment to supporting and nurturing the country’s diverse cultural landscape.
