Scottish councils implement new support measures for arts venues and community culture

In Scotland, local councils are taking steps to support cultural institutions and community-based arts organizations.

In Aberdeen, the City Council is deliberating on the future of the Aberdeen Arts Centre, a 200-year-old landmark. The venue, managed by the charity Castlegate Arts, has faced financial instability and an urgent appeal to raise £660,000 over three years. To prevent permanent closure, councillors have proposed several strategies, including negotiating a new long-term lease, offering the charity the opportunity to purchase the building, or establishing a closer collaboration to facilitate capital grants for repairs and upgrades.

Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, the City Council has approved increased investment for regularly funded cultural organizations. For the first time, professional community-based cultural organizations will have access to Visitor Levy funding. This move follows advocacy from groups like WHALE Arts, North Edinburgh Arts, and Lyra, aimed at addressing the current disparity where only approximately 6% of the council’s regular cultural funding is allocated to community-based organizations.