TWO prominent arts venues have received major funding boosts to bankroll their revampes.
The Citizens Theatre, in the Gorbals, has been awarded £2.5 million as part of the most extensive overhauls in the buildings history while Queen's Hall in Edinburgh has secured a £650,000 grant for building improvements.
The facelift for Queen's Hall in Edinburgh will see masonry, windows, doors and the roof renovated.
The 194-year-old former Georgian church, which is the performance home of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, will receive £390,000 from the Scottish Government while Historic Environment Scotland will contribute £260,000.
The £20 million redevelopment of Citizens Theatre would see a new rehearsal, learning and studio space as well as bar and cafe facilities.
The total cost of the building redevelopment project is £20.8m and will begin in 2018, if the rest of the funding is secured.
The award of £2.5m from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund brings the total raised to date to £15.3m.
Judith Kilvington, executive director of the Citizens Theatre, said: "This award is a major milestone in the planning and fundraising for our building redevelopment and recognises the significant contribution to community regeneration at the heart of the project.
"The Citizens Theatre is essential to the vibrancy of the local Gorbals community and the redevelopment will act as a catalyst for further cultural and commercial development as well as playing a vital role in the well-being of our local communities."
The project has also received £4m from Glasgow City Council, £4.9m from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and £1.5m from Creative Scotland.
Announcing the funding coup for the Queen's Hall, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "It is a firm favourite with performers and audiences throughout the year including Edinburgh's international, fringe and jazz and blues festivals.
"We have increased capital funding for Historic Environment Scotland's work to preserve, promote and protect our historic buildings, and enabled them to maintain their commitment to provide £14.5 million for external projects such as Historic Environment repair grants.
"As we celebrate the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, the funding will ensure the historic building is in a good state of repair and can continue to host the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and other performances over the next few years."
Queen's Hall chairman Nigel Griffiths said: "We are delighted with this Scottish Government and Historic Environment Scotland vote of confidence in the future of the Queen's Hall.
"We look forward to completing these important heritage works, which pave the way to an even brighter future and the celebration in 2019 of the 40th anniversary of the Queen's Hall as a world-class concert hall."
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