Scotland’s culture minister has given assurance that work will be undertaken to ensure the future of a Fife theatre after it lost its appeal for government funding.
Fiona Hyslop told local MSPs that Creative Scotland, which is responsible for issuing funds for arts across the nation, would collaborate with the Byre Theatre and Fife Council to ensure it remains a cultural hub and encourages artists around Fife and beyond.
She was quizzed over the St Andrews theatre in the Scottish Parliament yesterday after it emerged that Creative Scotland had upheld the refusal by its predecessor, the Scottish Arts Council, of flexible funding to the five-star venue of £320,000 over the next two years.
The grant represents 14% of the theatre’s annual turnover and its loss, it was previously warned, would affect jobs and programming.
After being asked for the assurance by north-east Fife MSP Iain Smith that the work would take place, Ms Hyslop said the short answer was “yes” and added, “I do think that we need to value the importance of the Byre.”
Although she conceded there would be disappointment at the result of the appeal, she pointed out the finance was not core funding and said, “I also think it is important that we look across Scotland at how we can all support, within culture and arts, different institutions.
“Creative Scotland had been due to meet the Byre, but clearly, pending the appeal, that meeting didn’t take place.
“I am under the impression that will happen very, very shortly indeed and I will encourage Creative Scotland, and indeed Fife Council and all those interested, to come together to look at a collective sustainable solution to help the Byre Theatre.”
She also insisted that the Scottish Government was not turning its back on funding arrangements for the Byre.
Conservative culture spokesman Ted Brocklebank told the parliament community theatres like the Byre were likely to go under without continuity of funding.
He said, “I believe all who have the best interests of the Byre at heart must continue to work together to ensure that the theatre’s future is secured.”