Funding for the arts welcomed in region
Relief for PitlochryTheatre and Horsecross Arts
Pitlochry Theatre and Horsecross Arts have welcomed the prospect of receiving part of a fund worth £10 million, set to offer oxygen to the region’s struggling ar ts organisations closed by the coronavirus.
Arts venues have been appealing for months that they need funding to survive, with little prospect of shows or concerts being held in the coming months.
On Friday, Scottish culture secretary Fiona Hyslop announced the Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund, a ring-fenced £10 million pot to help venues which cannot yet reopen.
And on Sunday, the Uk Government announced a £1.75 billion funding package, with almost £100m of that going to Scotland.
Nick Williams, chief executive of Horsecross Arts, the creative organisation and charity behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre said: “As a sector, we’ve been working hard to lobby the Scottish and UK Governments for financial support to help us through this crisis.
“We welcome the news about government investment in our industry and the recognition of the importance of the arts to our communities and to the economy.
“It’s early days, and we’re still waiting for detail on how this fund – which covers a wide range of organisations including heritage sites, museums, galleries and independent cinemas - will affect us.
“Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre will remain closed until we have clear guidance on how and when we can reopen in a way that is safe for audiences and staff, and that is economically viable.
“We are determined to keep bringing people together in whatever ways we can to share unforgettable experiences.
“This funding will hopefully go some way to helping us secure our role at the heart of the Perth community.”
The Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund will be run by Creative Scotland, which will publish full details shortly.
At Pitlochry Festival Theatre, artistic director Elizabeth Newman commented yesterday: “We are so relieved that this generous help has arrived from the Scottish Government.
“We have always known that the government has understood the importance of theatre, especially with regards to how much it contributes to the economy and the well-being of the population.
“For Pitlochry Festival Theatre and the Scottish theatre industry, this is the first vital step on a long road of recovery and we are reassured by the government’s decision.
“We thank Nicola Sturgeon and Fiona Hyslop, as well as John Swinney, for their unrelenting support during this unprecedented time.”
Elizabeth told the Perthshire Advertiser that “the devil was in the detail” and that she understood the fund would be focusing on two distinct areas.
Firstly preventing the theatre from going bankrupt, “supporting retaining the core staff, so we can reopen” and secondly, propping up artistic freelancers who are not eligible for furlough.
She concluded: “This process is teaching us, we are in uncharted times.
“We are doing everything we can at Pitlochry to make ourselves sustainable.”
Mid Scotland and Fife MSPs Murdo Fraser and Liz Smith said they hoped the UK Government cash would go to helping save jobs at Horsecross.
Ms Smith, speaking this week, said: “I’m sure residents in Perthshire recognise the important role played by the likes of Horsecross Arts to the community.
“And I am sure this funding will be widely welcomed.
“It should help cultural and heritage organisations get back on their feet again.”