Cumbernauld Theatre Trust receives £150,000.
The Cumbernauld Theatre Trust, in North Lanarkshire, has been
awarded £150,000 transition funding from the Scottish Government
to help secure its future.
The funding will ensure the future of the Theatre as a going
concern, so that it can continue its cultural programme and
community work, while taking steps to enhance its financial
sustainability and operations.
Cumbernauld Theatre Trust was the only was the only organisation
to lose regular funding when Creative Scotland announced
successful bidders for Multi-Year Funding in January, as a result
of its application which was unsuccessful.
A record number of cultural organisations were successful in
applying for Multi-Year Funding, following a £34 million increase
for culture in the arts in the 2025-26 Scottish Budget. Over half
of these organisations were awarded multi-year funding for the
first time, and all successful applicants who previously received
regular funding got a significant uplift
Culture Secretary said:
“The Cumbernauld Theatre is an important cultural asset for North
Lanarkshire and the wider culture sector in Scotland.
“As a result of its failure to secure Multi-Year Funding, the
Trust faced a critical funding gap for 2026-27, which would have
required the Trust to consult on redundancies.
“Given the Theatre's significance to the community and in order
to protect the sector-specific skills it provides employment
opportunities for, the Scottish Government has agreed to support
the Trust with £150,000 in grant funding over 2026-27, and a
potential further £150,000 in 2027-28 – subject to the Trust
demonstrating its sustainability issues are being resolved. This
funding should enable the Trust to move beyond a challenging
period and take the necessary steps to secure Cumbernauld
Theatre's future.”
Alan Caldwell, Chair of Cumbernauld Theatre Trust said:
“We are incredibly grateful to the Cabinet Secretary and the Scottish Government
for our constructive conversations over the last few months and
today's announcement of its strategic investment in the future of
this important cultural organisation. Their grant of £150,000 in
2026/27 and a potential further award in 2027/28 allows the Trust
time to plan for a long-term sustainable future, while continuing
to deliver its valuable work for residents in an area of Scotland
which is under-served in terms of cultural and community
opportunities.”
Background
Creative Scotland has also agreed to give Cumbernauld Theatre
Trust £99,557 in support of a programme of community engagement
and work celebrating the town's anniversary over the course of
2026.
Multi-Year Funding Outcome
Announcement | Creative Scotland
