A theatre which has been going for many decades says it is fearing for the future after being "unfairly deprived" of vital funding.
Cumbernauld Theatre has been a pillar in the community for the last five decades. From being a home for arts programmes and innovative live performances, the theatre welcomes thousands of people and creatives every year.
But after it was announced in January that the theatre would lose funding from Creative Scotland, the theatre now says it will no longer be able to produce new work, support artists, or deliver community programmes that so many rely on – including young people.
Following the unwelcome move, the theatre has now launched a petition in a bid to "save" its future.
The petition, which was set up on Wednesday, appears to have been started by the theatre itself and can be found on the Change.org platform HERE
Alongside the petition, the theatre wrote: "We believe this decision is unfair, based on a failure of process, and it will place at risk the future direction of the organisation, its employees and its vital work with the local community. "For over 50 years, Cumbernauld Theatre has been a home for original Scottish theatre-making, innovative live performance, and a thriving participatory arts programme. Every year, it welcomes over 40,000 audience members, artists, and participants, offering a diverse and inclusive artistic programme that inspires, challenges, and enriches lives. This funding decision places all of this at risk. "Without this funding, the theatre will no longer be able to produce new work, support artists, or deliver the community programmes that so many people rely on.
"Local audiences will lose access to live performance, young people will lose opportunities to take part in creative activities, and Scotland’s theatre sector will lose a producing house that plays a vital role in developing and showcasing new work."
The petition went on to say that it urges Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government to recognise the long-term impact that the loss will have on the community, and to work together with the theatre trust to find a "common-sense" solution.
The petition has been signed by more than 3000 people so far.
A Creative Scotland spokesperson said: “We are meeting with the leadership of the Theatre next week to discuss the outcome of their application for Multi-Year Funding, and the options available for future support.
"Until those discussions have happened, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”
