John Dean – Crime Writer

You may recall that in early July, I published a blog offering my support to Aberdeen Arts Centre, which faces the very real threat of closure, and bemoaning the way that communities have to fight to persuade local authorities to support arts establishments.

The problem for Aberdeen Arts Centre is the loss of council funding to support the income it brings in through its various activities and I thought that readers of my website would appreciate an update.

Not long after the blog appeared, the city council’s Finance & Resources Committee voted not to provide centre operator Castlegate Arts with funding from contingency budgets for the continued operation of Aberdeen Arts Centre. The council is Castlegate Arts’ landlord.

Describing herself as ‘deeply disappointed’ at the decision, Sharon Catchpole, interim executive director at Aberdeen Arts Centre, said:  “For the past 26 years, Castlegate Arts has been the custodian of Aberdeen Arts Centre, and of grassroots arts in Aberdeen. As a charity, it was formed by Annie Inglis to fulfil this role when, in the late 1990s, then-operator Aberdeen City Council decided to cut funding to the venue.

“We are proud to have earned the trust of the local performing community to advocate for local performers, and take this responsibility seriously.

“Therefore, it is disappointing that, while the Council had the opportunity to make a bold commitment to supporting the heart of grassroots arts in the city, they chose not to – going against the wishes of their constituents who had turned out in force over the previous seven weeks to positively support the organisation.”

Arguing that the council should do more to support the centre, which is raising funds from the public to keep itself open, Sharon Catchpole said: “The outpouring of love and support throughout the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign has shown how important the Arts Centre and Castlegate Arts are to the people of Aberdeen, and to the wider arts sector in Scotland.

“This is not the end of the campaign to Save Aberdeen Arts Centre. The work continues. We encourage everyone to join the conversation and make their voices heard. Together, let’s keep the spotlight shining on your creative community.”

Hear, hear. I know that council budgets are under pressure but it does often look like councils do not valued the role that places like the arts centre play at the heart of their communities.

You can read Sharon Catchpole’s full statement at https://www.aberdeenartscentre.com/

My original article is at

Time to back campaign to save threatened arts centre – John Dean – Crime Writer