Published: 26 Oct 2016
Aberdeen Performing Arts (APA) have today, Wednesday 26 October, announced a number of updates to the multi-million pound redevelopment of Aberdeen’s historic Music Hall.
International superstar Emeli Sande is announced as an ambassador for the project while contractor for the project, Kier, have been on site for more than a fortnight. A wrap featuring Emeli Sande has been installed at the venue on Union Street, and APA is continuing to fundraise to reach the final goal.
Plans for the revamped Music Hall include upgrades to the historic auditorium with new seating, flooring and more flexible staging, new performance, rehearsal and education spaces, upgraded artist facilities, a new foyer, box office and café bar and new ramps and lifts to improve access to all areas.
£6.5m has already been raised towards the transformation including a £1.5m National Lottery contribution from Creative Scotland.
Philip Deverell, Director, Strategy, Creative Scotland, commented: “Creative Scotland is thrilled to support the transformation of the iconic Aberdeen Music Hall, one of Scotland’s oldest and most historic concert halls. Aberdeen Music Hall is key to the music infrastructure of Scotland and the North-east. The imaginative and creative design solution with its open and inclusive approach to the use of the space will open up the Hall to the street outside, signaling a new era for the historic and much loved venue, and helping to secure its place at the heart of city life for generations. The project will ensure that it continues as an important part of Aberdeen and Scotland's unique cultural heritage and becomes an inspirational space and creative hub for the performing arts in Scotland.”
APA Chief Executive Jane Spiers said: “We are so thrilled to have begun the next chapter in the life of the Music Hall. This is a huge campaign that has been years in the making – it has taken many months of planning and fundraising. However, this project is about much more than bricks and mortar. The Music Hall is a national treasure with decades of wonderful history behind it. The range and calibre of artists, musicians and events the Hall has hosted over nearly 200 years is truly astonishing and its place at the heart of community and civic life is unassailable.” Ms Spiers added: “It really is an ingenious re-imagining of the space. We’re restoring and retaining the Music Hall’s historic fabric and its wonderful acoustic and at the same time we’re adding new features in keeping with the expectations of a 21st century audience.”
The singer-songwriter, who hails from Alford in Aberdeenshire, is instantly recognisable from her striking profile emblazoned on the large building wrap surrounding the venue on Union Street. Emeli said: “'The Music Hall holds so many fond memories for me, from the music festivals in primary school to my first tour. The beautiful atmosphere and stunning acoustics really make this a special place to perform.”
ENDS
The project is spearheaded by Aberdeen Performing Arts (APA), the charitable trust that runs three of the city’s iconic arts venues, the Music Hall, His Majesty’s Theatre (HMT) and The Lemon Tree. Thanks to APA’s fundraising efforts, £6.5m has already been raised towards the transformation including major contributions from Aberdeen City Council, Creative Scotland, Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, The Robertson Trust, The Foyle Foundation, Garfield Weston, The Wolfson Foundation and The Hugh Fraser Foundation.
A £150,000 sponsorship deal has been agreed between APA and Aberdeen Solicitors’ Property Centre (ASPC). Aberdeen Inspired has also gifted £50,000, bringing the total funds raised to just over 80% of the final total, £7.9m, ahead of re-opening in Autumn/Winter 2018.
Those looking to support the Music Hall Transformation can visit aberdeenperformingarts.com/musichall/give-a-gift for information on various ways to donate and get involved.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com.
