Since its inception, Aberdeen Arts Centre has been a creative lifeline for local performers, artists and audiences alike. It is home to 35+ local performing groups that regularly perform on the stage, as well as providing Creative Learning opportunities for all ages.

This helps our young people to develop essential life skills and promotes good mental wellbeing. We also provide Artist Development support for professional creatives.

There is no other venue in Aberdeen that can accommodate the size of casts and companies that perform at the Arts Centre.

Through donations and subsidies, we've kept our venue accessible, ensuring the arts remain a vibrant part of our city. But today, we need your support more than ever.

The cost of running the centre has surged in recent years, creating a critical funding gap. The team has recognised the need to diversify our income streams and are actively implementing a sustainable financial strategy to secure our future. However, as we work to establish this plan, we’ve had to temporarily rely on our reserves – something common in the arts sector but which unfortunately affects our eligibility for certain funding.

How You Can Help

We need to raise £180,000 by 1 July 2025 to return the organisation's reserves to a sustainable level ahead of a council debate, at which the elected members can choose to reinstate funding to Aberdeen Arts Centre.

This initial target is part of a larger £660,000 fundraising goal for the next three years, getting the Arts Centre to a position where the team can apply for Creative Scotland's Multi-Year Funding portfolio.

PLEASE DIG DEEPLY - anything you can spare will go towards providing incredible creative opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds from across Aberdeen and the north east of Scotland.

If the majority of last year's audience members each donated £11.25, the initial target would be quickly met.

If all the centre's audiences, users and visitors gave £33 (or more) each per year, we'd smash all targets.

Of course, if you can afford more, please give as generously as you are able to. Your support will keep grassroots arts alive in Aberdeen.

Thank you

All of the team would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who has already reached out to offer support. Throughout its history, Aberdeen's creative community has always stood by the Arts Centre, collaborating to ensure it's success. Together we can keep the spotlight shining on Aberdeen’s inspirational creative community.