Aberdeen Performing Arts today published its annual review, celebrating a year of community connection and inspiration, and revealing visitor numbers of almost 400,000 across more than 800 performances.
The award-winning arts organisation created more opportunities than ever before within the North East's cultural sector in the 12 months from April 2025 to March 2026, with the review
documenting the difference that APA makes to individuals and communities across the North-east, including generating £49.9 million for the local economy by bringing almost 1.5 million visits to Aberdeen.
Festivals such as the youth arts focussed Light the Blue and the introduction of the Aberdeen Queer Arts Festival addressed different community needs, creating a rich and balanced programme of creative engagement, while Aberdeen Comedy Festival was reimagined and revitalised, attracting more than 15,000 attendances and bringing some of the biggest names in comedy to the city alongside the most exciting emerging talent from across the UK.
Meanwhile, Granite Noir celebrated its tenth anniversary with a refreshed identity, reaffirming its reputation as one of Scotland’s most distinctive literary festivals, and the Aberdeen Performing Arts International Season continued to grow in confidence and ambition, welcoming artists and companies from Africa, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Aberdeen Performing Arts CEO/Creative Director, Sharon Burgess, said: "Our purpose is simple: to bring the joy of arts, creativity and live performance to all. We have invested in our people, completed the transformation of the Lemon Tree, strengthened partnerships with artists and organisations across Scotland and beyond, and continued to remove barriers so that more people can experience the arts in ways that work for them.
"Creativity remains a force for connection, opportunity and positive change, and our social and civic contribution remains our central focus.
"My sincere thanks go to our staff, volunteers, Trustees, artists, partners, supporters and funders for their commitment and generosity throughout the year. Above all, thank you to our audiences and participants. Your enthusiasm, encouragement and belief in what we do continue to inspire us."