An Aberdeen arts organisation has revealed the next ambitious target in its three-year fundraising drive.
Aberdeen Arts Centre aims to raise £60,000 in the next six weeks – the latest stage in its Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign, set up to protect the home of grassroots arts in the north east of Scotland.
Executive director Holly Paterson said: “We’re a third of the way into the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign, but not yet a third of the way towards our three-year target.
“Raising £60,000 in the next six weeks will help us smash our first year goals, and sustain the organisation during the traditionally quieter summer months.
“We’re still working towards the next round of Creative Scotland funding – which opens in 2027 for award in 2028 – but we need help to get to that point.
“We’re asking every person who comes through our doors to see a show or take part in a class to give just £20. It might not feel like much – it's not even the cost of a takeaway or a round of drinks. But if enough of us give a little, together we can secure the next chapter for a place that has given so much to this community.”
In May 2025, the centre launched the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign – a three-year, £660,000 fundraising drive to secure its future. The short-term £60,000 goal will help the organisation breach the year one target of £220,000.
Over 35 local theatre companies, dance schools, music ensembles and performing groups use the space – with over 5,000 local performers appearing on stage every year, alongside national touring companies like the National Theatre of Scotland.
Individuals and corporate sponsors can find out more and donate at https://www.aberdeenartscentre.com/save-aberdeen-arts-centre.
Julia Smith, fundraising manager, added: “Thousands of people in our local community have raised tens of thousands of pounds to protect the home of grassroots arts, and we are so grateful for their support.
“But one year into this three-year campaign, we haven't yet reached a third of our fundraising target.
“The money raised so far has enabled thousands of local people to act, dance, sing and perform on the Arts Centre stage over the last year – and this latest ask will empower them to continue to do that.
“Every donation helps keep opportunities available for local performers, young people, community groups and audiences across the city.”
Aberdeen Arts Centre is an independent arts venue in the heart of Aberdeen, operated by registered charity Castlegate Arts Ltd for over a quarter of a century.
For more than 60 years, Aberdeen Arts Centre has played a crucial role in the north east’s vibrant arts scene through its programme of performances, Creative Learning Programme for children and adults, and an Artist Development Programme to support local professional creatives.
In April 2026, Aberdeen Arts Centre appointed Call the Midwife star Laura Main as its official patron.
Aberdeen Arts Centre encompasses a 350-seater auditorium; café bar; flexible spaces for performances, events, exhibitions and meetings; and the Children’s Theatre, opened by Catherine Hollingworth in the 1950s as a pioneering youth theatre (the first of its kind in the UK) and now used as a vital resource for professional artist development.
For more information, visit www.aberdeenartscentre.com or follow Aberdeen Arts Centre on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @AberdeenArtsCentre.