Belmont Cinema Receives Vital Funding for Revival
Creative Scotland has announced they’ll provide a transformative £169,000 annually.
Exciting news for Aberdeen’s cultural scene: Belmont Cinema is one step closer to reopening, thanks to a major funding boost! Creative Scotland has announced they’ll provide £169,000 per year in multi-year support, a crucial step forward in bringing this beloved independent cinema back to life.
This is a huge moment for the Belmont Community Cinema Ltd, the charity leading the efforts to restore the venue. After the success of the ‘Save The Belmont Cinema’ campaign, the charity is now focused on revitalising the cinema with a new emphasis on film, education, community engagement, and providing a top-notch experience for all visitors. With this new funding, the dream of reopening the Belmont is getting closer. And the Belmont isn't the only Aberdeen cultural organisation with great funding news today. See the end of this article for more.
Matt Buchanan, the newly appointed Chief Executive of Belmont Community Cinema, shared his excitement about the funding: “This funding is transformative for our work to bring the Belmont Cinema back to life. Creative Scotland’s support is not just an investment in our cinema, but also in Aberdeen’s cultural future and in the future of our city centre. We are committed to making Belmont a thriving hub for film, art, and community engagement—for Aberdeen, by Aberdeen.”
The Belmont Cinema has long been a beloved part of Aberdeen’s cultural fabric, offering a home for independent films and community events. Its closure in 2022 was a blow to the city’s arts scene, but with this new funding, the vision of restoring the venue is becoming a reality.
Images courtesy of Tinto Architecture
Sambrooke Scott, Head of Audience Development at Screen Scotland, also showed support: “Belmont Community Cinema is leading the efforts to restore and revive Aberdeen’s only independent cinema. Screen Scotland fully supports these efforts and their proposed programme of activity, which will bring cinema to their community and set the foundations for the future.”
Belmont Community Cinema Ltd’s plans for the venue include renovations, a diverse range of screenings, and strong partnerships with other cultural organisations, such as the award-winning Station House Media Unit (SHMU). With this vital backing from Creative Scotland, the Belmont Cinema is on its way to becoming a hub for independent film and filmmaking in the North East of Scotland again.
Aberdeen Organisations to Receive a share of £4.2 million
This funding announcement is part of a major shift in how Scotland’s cultural sector is supported. Thanks to a significant budget boost from the Scottish Government, Creative Scotland will distribute over £200 million to 251 organisations across the country over the next three years. It’s the largest investment the sector has ever seen.
In Aberdeen, the total funding is a significant £4.2 million, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to supporting the artists, performers, and organisations that help enrich our communities. Some of the local organisations benefiting include Aberdeen Performing Arts, which will receive £1,691,373, and Citymoves Dance Agency, awarded £470,000.
Other key recipients include Grampian Hospitals Art Trust (£392,246), Peacock & The Worm (£1,001,001), and the WORD Centre for Creative Writing at the University of Aberdeen (£150,000). All of these organisations are vital parts of Aberdeen’s cultural scene, and this funding will help them continue to grow, create, and inspire the city for years to come.
