Perth’s two main arts venues have been rocked by a financial crisis, it has emerged.
The Courier can reveal that talks have taken place between troubled Horsecross Arts, who run Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre, and Perth and Kinross Council, to investigate the extent of the financial difficulties.
It appears taxpayers may have to plug a ‘black hole’ in the finances of Horsecross understood to be in the region of £500,000.
Such is the concern over the financial bombshell that it’s believed some money may need to be shaved off the cost of renovating Perth Theatre. The 114-year-old building had been set for a £14.5 million upgrade.
The Courier also understands that the position of some Horsecross Arts board members may well change as a result of the financial difficulties.
Just last week, the chief executive of Horsecross Arts, Jacqueline McKay, left her post for “personal reasons”.
A week prior to that, it was announced that Rachel O’Riordan, Perth Theatre’s artistic director, will be leaving for a new job in Wales.
Colin McMahon, a former senior official at Angus Council, has been appointed interim chief executive of Horsecross Arts. The Perth Theatre redevelopment project was meant to be overseen by Ms McKay, who also worked as chief executive of the Byre Theatre in St Andrews before moving to Horsecross Arts last October.
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council confirmed that they had been approached by Horsecross Arts regarding help to solve their financial problems, and clarified that talks had taken place between the two bodies.
“The council was notified by Horsecross in July of financial difficulties,” he said.
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