Centre lifts mask in £450,000 bid to show off the art form of puppetry
SCOTLAND’S centre for the art of mask-making and puppetry is hoping to present a new face to the world.
The Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre is aiming to raise £450,000 to transform its popular base in the Kelvindale area of Glasgow.
Its executive director, Dr Malcolm Knight, is hoping to raise the money needed to transform the centre, based in a former cleansing department depot, with a new theatre space and facilities for TV and film recording.
Dr Knight let The Herald see behind the scenes at the centre as fundraising efforts are stepped up.
It has already collected £150,000 towards the cause, including a small capital grant from Creative Scotland.
The plans include a new garden area, a flexible theatre space with around 107 seats, a museum, and an education room.
Dr Knight, a puppeteer, actor, teacher, mask-maker and archivist, said applications for various funds are ready to send, and hopes that the centre can add an improved hub for people in the west end of the city.
He said: “We’d love to do this and add the multi-purpose hall because, actually, there are very few spaces like this in Kelvindale and Kelvinside, which is ironic given the reputation of the west end [as a cultural area].
“We are still one of the very few spaces where children can come and see shows all year around.
“I think it is really important for children to get into the habit of seeing theatre. Children benefit from getting used to going to the theatre – that’s the rationale behind this.”
Dr Knight also said he hopes the ambitious plans will raise the profile of masks and puppetry in Scotland.
He added: “We do want to legitimise the art form – puppetry is an art form in its own right.
“The appreciation of the art form is greatly needed – the existing funding bodies have let it fall a little between the cracks.”