SCOTS singer Barbara Dickson is backing a fundraising campaign to keep the arts alive in a Perthshire town.
Dickson is supporting Crieff’s cultural hub, Strathearn Arts, in its major volunteer-led push to close the funding gap for the second phase of its refurbishment.
The singer, who recently became a patron of Strathearn Arts, said the hub was one of Scotland’s finest smaller venues and played a vital role in bringing arts and culture to the community.
Housed in the town’s former public library and dance hall, Strathearn Arts has become a centre for live performances, creative workshops and community wellbeing initiatives.
Over the years, it has brought an impressive lineup of performers to Crieff, from music legends like Dickson, Eddi Reader (above) and Dougie MacLean to pop and rock icons such as The Bay City Rollers, Hue And Cry and, most recently, KT Tunstall.
The community arts venue has also played host to top comedians including Alan Carr, Jo Caulfield, Fred MacAulay, Craig Hill and Stuart Mitchell in recent years.
Despite securing grants from the Gannochy Trust and the Garfield Weston Foundation, as well as maximising income through ticket sales, venue hire and retail, rising costs and an unpredictable funding landscape have left Strathearn Arts with a financial shortfall.
To complete the much-needed venue refurbishment, the charity is calling on the public to help raise £30,000.
“I hope many will answer the call and help complete this next phase of refurbishment, ensuring that Strathearn Arts continues to inspire, entertain and bring people together for years to come,” said Dickson.
Artistic director Angela Lennon added: “Like many arts organisations, we are facing significant financial challenges due to rising costs, an unpredictable funding landscape and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
“While we’ve worked hard to secure funding, we need additional support to complete the refurbishment and ensure the future of Strathearn Arts.
“This campaign is a rallying cry to the community, arts lovers and supporters across Scotland – together, we can keep the arts alive in Crieff.”
Retired university professor, Peter Bennet, one of the 40 dedicated hub volunteers, said the venue was an incentive for people to become more engaged with the local community.
“Since I live on my own, it provides a degree of social inclusion that would otherwise be missing from my life, as well as a challenge,” he said.
Young people are also championing the campaign. Katie Fisher said the hub had given her the chance to be creative, meet like-minded people and learn new skills.
“Without places like this, young people in Crieff wouldn’t have anywhere to express themselves,” she said. “I really hope people support this campaign so future generations can have the same opportunities I’ve had.”
