Horsecross Arts’ plans to transform Perth Theatre received a major boost as national arts funding body Creative Scotland approved a £2m allocation from their Large Capital Funding programme.

£2m is the maximum available under the funding programme and makes the award to Horsecross Arts the largest of sixteen projects supported by Creative Scotland under the programme announced today.

The award adds to the £3m already committed by Perth & Kinross Council and a £3m grant from the Gannochy Trust. With £0.5million awarded by Heritage Lottery Fund and a further £0.5million from other trusts, foundations and individual donors, the Perth Theatre Transformation Fund will stand at £9 million, almost three quarters of the way towards its £13million target.

Jacqueline McKay, chief executive designate of Horsecross Arts, the creative organisation behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre was delighted at the announcement:

“This is fantastic news! £2m from Creative Scotland is a giant leap forward in the Transform Perth Theatre project and rewards all the hard work the Horsecross team has been putting in to develop and promote this exciting and transformative proposal.

The award confirms Creative Scotland as a significant partner in the project and is a huge vote of confidence in our plans.

£9 million has now been raised, our £13 million target is firmly in sight and we are poised to roll out the next stage in our fundraising campaign.

With this investment, Creative Scotland joins other funders in recognising the vital role the transformation of Perth Theatre plays in securing a thriving cultural life at the heart of Scotland’s newest city.

Horsecross Arts is determined to restore Perth’s beautiful Edwardian auditorium and to create around it a vibrant, engaging and welcoming cultural landmark that the people of Perth and the whole of Scotland will visit and be proud of for many years to come.

Today’s news takes us a big step closer to that goal and with the people of Perth behind us we are confident we can make it happen. We look forward to entering the next stage of the process with our partners at Creative Scotland and will be working hard to raise the remaining funds.”

Horsecross Arts and Perth & Kinross Council announced their vision for a theatre fit for the 21st century in 2008 with plans by Richard Murphy Architects already drawn up and approved.

The ambitious transformation of the 113 year old theatre will see the period features of the B listed Edwardian auditorium meticulously restored, improved visitor access throughout the building and enhanced audience comfort. Additional creative learning and youth spaces would boost the theatre’s already thriving community programme and the creation of a 225 capacity studio theatre would bring a new range of drama and music events to the city.

Council Leader, Councillor Ian Miller, said:

“We warmly welcome the news that Creative Scotland has granted £2 million towards the transformation of Perth Theatre. Horsecross Arts’ bid was a strong one, with substantial funding already in place, and this award recognises the considerable work that has gone into the submission. By adding significantly to the funding the Council and The Gannochy Trust have already committed, Creative Scotland has endorsed the project and this will encourage other funders.”

Announcing the £15m bonus for sixteen projects for development for buildings and public art projects, supporting organisations to develop ambitious new plans across Scotland, Andrew Dixon, chief executive, Creative Scotland, said:

“Great cultural facilities in every part of Scotland allow many more people to experience, enjoy and learn about a range of creative work.”

As well as transforming the building, Horsecross Arts is committed to establishing Perth Theatre and its sister venue Perth Concert Hall as creative hubs supporting and invigorating the arts in Perth and in Scotland, developing talent, growing audiences and increasing public enjoyment.

An exhibition of outline plans and drawings of the theatre proposals is on display at Perth Theatre on 185 High Street. Members of the public who would like to support the transformation project or just keep track of progress can visit the Transform Perth Theatre website at www.transformperththeatre.co.uk e-mail info@horsecross.co.uk or call Louisa Jacobs, business development manager for Horsecross Arts on 01738 477721.

Source: Horsecross