More than £3.5m has been set aside to help three organisations transform some of Scotland's well-known cultural facilities.

Thanks to the funding, made available by Creative Scotland, the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr, Burgh Hall in Dunoon and Horsecross Arts in Perth have all received confirmation of a Stage Two Large Capital Award. This fund will enable the projects to progress the delivery of their final plans.

The Gaiety Theatre is currently undergoing an extensive redevelopment. It has been awarded £1,176,277 which will help the venue to establish itself as a cultural and educational hub in Ayrshire.

Jeremy Wyatt, Executive Director, Gaiety Theatre, said: "This capital grant from Creative Scotland is essential to the future of the Gaiety Theatre. It will enable us to address urgent heating and ventilation problems, restore the main auditorium and invest in modern stage equipment.

"It will also allow us to improve the whole audience and performer experience. Most importantly it will mean we can continue to act as a focus for developing all aspects of the performing arts in Ayrshire."

In Argyll, Dunoon Burgh Halls was awarded a total of £465,000. The Grade-B listed building is considered the town's most important civic building and a redevelopment project will help to maintain the historic nature of the building. The investment would create a multi-use arts hub, with the main hall capable of supporting a mixed performance programme, events and functions, and larger exhibitions. It will feature a café and a range of meeting spaces.


John McAslan, Chairman of Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust, commented: "On behalf of the Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust, I'd like to say how delighted we are that Creative Scotland is supporting us in this way with such a generous capital works grant. This is a clear demonstration of the support we have from Creative Scotland and it puts us on schedule to begin works in early 2015 with completion the following year."

Lastly, in Perth, Horsecross Arts and Perth and Kinross Council have been awarded £2m. More than 100 years old, it is one of Scotland's oldest theatres. Its redevelopment will help restore the theatre to its former glory and will bring in new audiences to enjoy its programmes, as well as create improved spaces in which to nurture talent. This will also complement the international standard of its sister Concert Hall.

The theatre is currently closed for redevelopment and expected to reopen in early 2017.

Colin McMahon, Chief Executive, Horsecross Arts, said: "Horsecross Arts is pleased that Creative Scotland has confirmed its pledge of £2m from its large capital fund towards the re-development and restoration of Perth Theatre. This will form part of the £13.5 million pledged by our project partners Perth & Kinross Council, The Gannochy Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), trusts and foundations, generous individuals and other supporters and funding bodies.

"We continue to work towards raising an additional £1.5 million to ensure that the newly transformed venue is fully equipped and furnished for a new century of theatre in Perth."

Creative Scotland's Large Capital programme supports cultural facilities, refurbishments and equipment, and large scale public art in order to improve the access, presentation and enjoyment of the arts and film for the population of Scotland.

Janet Archer, CEO, said: "The cultural infrastructure of Scotland will be boosted by these important and ambitious projects which have been a number of years in the planning.

"These new developments will transform these three venues to create improved spaces and enable artists and creative people to inspire audiences across Scotland through an exciting mix of creative experiences, stimulating social, cultural and economic regeneration in each location."

(JP/MH)