Up to £2 million of Government funding will be provided to National Theatre of Scotland towards the proposed re-location of staff and facilities under one roof by 2014.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop today confirmed the details of almost £7 million for cultural capital projects this year and for the next two years.
In addition to the funding for the National Theatre of Scotland, she has allocated £2 million for maintenance and refurbishment of the National Museums Scotland’s estate, £1.5 million to top up Creative Scotland’s oversubscribed capital programme, and £1.4 million for work on Historic Scotland properties.
This is part of the £205 million programme of capital projects announced by Finance Secretary John Swinney in December, which will see jobs created across Scotland, provide an immediate boost to Scotland’s construction sector and strengthen the foundations for the Scottish economy over the long term.
The National Theatre of Scotland is examining the feasibility of a “creation space” in Glasgow where the company can consolidate rehearsal facilities, offices and technical and storage amenities under one roof in a converted former warehouse, in the Speirs Lock area. The building in Craighall Road has been unoccupied for 10 years.
Although the building will not be a performance space, part of National Theatre of Scotland’s plan is to encourage a hub where artists, actors, writers and young people can work together in creating and developing projects.
Ms Hyslop said:
“Even when money is tight, it is essential that our National Theatre can flourish. This proposed development will enable greater opportunities for collaboration across the organisation, as well as providing better creative and community facilities.
“Together with funding already announced for the Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s new home and Scottish Opera’s redevelopment of the Theatre Royal, this represents a significant investment by this Government in Glasgow’s cultural infrastructure in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.”
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2013/01/funding-for-culture-projects-announced14012013