Aberdeen Arts Centre Launches Urgent Appeal to Save Its Future
Supporters are rallying to protect a vital community arts space at risk of closure.
Aberdeen Arts Centre is reaching out to the community with an urgent appeal to help raise £660,000 over the next three years. The aim is clear: keep the centre open, active and welcoming for years to come. With a first milestone of £180,000 needed by 1 July to unlock future funding opportunities, the centre is asking supporters to rally once again, just as they did in 1998 when Annie Inglis gathered thousands of signatures to save the venue.
The campaign already has backing from across the arts world, including actors Laura Main, Amy Lennox and Brian Cox, director Jon S Baird, and Dame Evelyn Glennie. But it’s the everyday stories that truly speak to the venue’s value.
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“Everywhere I go in Aberdeen, I meet people whose lives have been touched by Aberdeen Arts Centre,” said Eve Nicol, programming and creative director. “From learning new skills to performing on stage, people have found confidence, joy and friendship here. This place matters.”
A Cultural Anchor in the City
More than 35 local performing and community groups use the space each year. The building also supports an artist development programme, creative learning for all ages, and is home to the UK’s first purpose-built children’s theatre, opened in the 1950s by Catherine Hollingworth.
When groups are in residence, the centre is full of life, from rehearsals to performances and everything in between. It’s more than just a venue. It’s a hub where the arts take shape and thrive.
Chair of the board, Sharon Robertson, explained that rising costs have created a significant funding gap. A new financial plan is in place, but help is needed now to begin the road to recovery.
“We’re asking for support to restore our reserves and show that we can sustain future investment,” she said. “If we can raise £180,000 by July, we can begin to move forward.”
She also noted that relying on reserves limits access to other funds. “This is a key moment for the community to help us stay open and keep creative work happening.”
Why It Matters to the City
Aberdeen Arts Centre is a space where young people, artists and audiences come together. Nicol stressed that what’s at stake goes beyond the building itself.
“We see the change in people all the time. They arrive unsure, and leave with new skills and confidence,” she said. “These kinds of opportunities are rare—and worth protecting.”
Even small donations can go a long way. “If most of our audience from last year gave £11.25, we’d reach our goal,” Nicol said. “Personal support, in any amount, helps build a future for the arts here.”
How to Help
An open public meeting will take place on Tuesday, 27 May at 6.30 pm in the Arts Centre. Everyone is welcome, and registration is available through the centre’s website.
To donate, visit justgiving.com/campaign/saveaberdeenartscentre. Whether it’s a donation, sharing the campaign, or simply showing up to learn more, every action counts toward safeguarding this creative space.
Aberdeen’s cultural calendar is packed, and POST’s What’s On page gives you a snapshot of it all. From gigs and theatre to exhibitions and creative meet-ups, there’s loads to discover, whatever your taste.
Bold performances, thoughtful shows, unusual venues, and events that bring people together. It’s all going on, and we’re here to help you find what’s next.
