Alternative funding option for youth theatre

Scottish Youth Theatre (SYT) has an opportunity to secure future money from Creative Scotland under an alternative funding plan, it has emerged.

The theatre, whose alumni include stars such as Gerard Butler and Karen Gillan, last week announced it is to close after losing out in the latest round of regular funding from the arts body.

Based in Glasgow, SYT said it will be left with a gap of around a third of its required income and has no other realistic option than to cease trading on July 31 this year.

Janet Archer, the chief executive of Creative Scotland, said it was possible the theatre could make up the shortfall through project funding applications.

She told BBC Scotland she had a “good” telephone conversation with SYT chief executive Jacky Hardacre on Friday.

“We’ve been talking to Scottish Youth Theatre about other options in terms of Creative Scotland funding and will continue to do that,” she told the Sunday Politics Scotland show.

“It’s accepted that the regular funding decisions have been made so we’re talking to them about project funding, which is a different funding programme that we run.”

Creative Scotland last year helped more than 300 organisations through project funding, she said.

Applications can be for up to £100,000 per project, or £150,000 with permission.

Organisations can apply for up to two years’ funding and for different projects.

Questioned whether the money could plug the SYT’s £200,000 shortfall, she replied: “That’s possible.”

SYT alumni include Gerard Butler.