Aberdeen Arts Centre has launched an urgent fundraising campaign to safeguard the future of the iconic north east venue.
The Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign aims to raise £660,000 over three years to support the venue’s operations and ensure its continued role as a vital creative and community hub.
The campaign has already received support from high-profile names including actors Laura Main, Amy Lennox and Brian Cox, Hollywood director Jon S Baird, magician Barry Jones, and percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie.
The venue has set an initial target of £180,000 to be raised by July 1, 2025.
Eve Nicol, Programming and Creative Director, said:
“Everywhere I go in Aberdeen, I meet so many people whose lives have been touched by Aberdeen Arts Centre – by the shows on our stage, by the opportunities to learn and perform, by the life skills they have gained.
That so many people across the city have been influenced by their experiences here shows just how vital a resource Aberdeen Arts Centre is for Aberdeen and the wider north east region.
The outpouring of love and support we have had already has been deeply moving but now we must take action to secure the centre’s future. If the majority of our audience members from last year donated £11.25 each we’ll meet our initial July 1 deadline. A personal gift from those who know and feel the value of grassroots arts in their life will go a long way to secure its continuation in the city.”
Aberdeen Arts Centre is home to more than 35 local performing and community groups and offers Creative Learning and Artist Development programmes for all ages and experience levels.
A public meeting will be held at the venue on Tuesday, May 27 at 6.30pm for those interested in learning more or getting involved.
Sharon Robertson, Chair of the Board of Trustees, commented:
“Since its inception, Aberdeen Arts Centre has been a creative lifeline for local performers, artists and audiences alike. Through donations and subsidies, we’ve kept our venue accessible, ensuring the arts remain a vibrant part of our city. But today, we need your support more than ever.
The cost of running the centre has surged in recent years, creating a critical funding gap. We’ve recognised the need to diversify our income streams and are actively implementing a sustainable financial strategy to secure our future. However, as we work to establish this plan, we’ve had to temporarily rely on our reserves – something common in the arts sector but which unfortunately affects our eligibility for certain funding.
Here’s where we need the community help: to safeguard Aberdeen Arts Centre and keep it thriving for generations to come, we urgently need to raise £180,000 by July 1. Restoring our reserves before this crucial deadline ensures we can present a strong case for reinstating our funding when councillors debate the issue. There is then a choice for the elected members to make: allocate funds to the Arts Centre from contingencies – this is within their gift to do.
Every contribution, big or small, helps protect this space for the local creative community. Your support keeps artists on stage, ideas alive, and culture thriving.
Join us – because together, we can secure the future of Aberdeen Arts Centre.”
The venue has previously overcome adversity, including a 1998 campaign led by Annie Inglis that gathered 14,500 signatures to prevent closure.
Eve Nicol added:
“The opportunity to perform or express yourself creatively can be a lifeline for people of all ages, for so many different reasons. That’s why we are so passionate about supporting grassroots performance. It’s not just about the joy of stepping on stage; it’s also about the skills you learn for life, including teamwork, resilience and self-confidence.
Appearing on our stage sets up so many young people for life, whether they choose to pursue the arts or another career. Without major support, we risk losing that vital resource here in Aberdeen.
Many of the companies that use the centre have casts of over 200 eager local performers. When these groups are in, the building comes alive with the buzz and excitement of performance. There are no other venues in Aberdeen that can accommodate groups of this size for an affordable price.
Without Aberdeen Arts Centre, the north east of Scotland would see its creative life greatly diminish.”
More information can be found here.
