Glasgow theatre to benefit from huge new funding boost ahead of reopening

A Glasgow theatre is to benefit from a huge new funding boost ahead of reopening next year.

The Citizens Theatre is celebrating a new partnership with The William Syson Foundation, whose programme of grants will support some arts and cultural organisations.

As part of the partnership, the theatre’s Participate programme will receive £45,000 per year over three years, totalling £135,000.

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This funding comes at a key moment for the theatre, as it prepares to return to its Gorbals home in 2025 following a major redevelopment.

(Image: Citizens Theatre)

Over the next three years, the theatre will develop pivotal new programmes, which will focus on four key areas:

Adults – a rich and varied programme from sociable drop-in groups to regular workshops and community shows.

Young people – nurturing the creativity, skills and resilience of the next generation. This includes regular classes for learning-disabled young performers and career development opportunities for care-experienced young people.

Education – providing creative opportunities for students and educators across primary and secondary schools, and into further education.

Community residencies – building connections with external organisations to reach groups which might not otherwise engage with the theatre.

Those involved can reap benefits including building confidence and developing skills, improving mental health and reducing isolation - as well as being fun.

The Foundation has previously supported the theatre’s work with learning-disabled adults and children.

(Image: Mark Liddell)

Catrin Evans, Citizens Theatre's head of creative learning, said: "Embarking on a new chapter in our community programming at the Citizens is made that much more exciting by our renewed and expanded funding partnership with the William Syson Foundation.

"It is unique for a funder to commit to support our work across all 5 strands - which demonstrates a trust in our approach and a belief in the inherent value of the arts.

"Building partnerships with the William Syson Foundation over multiple years will enrich our work beyond measure and benefit the many groups we operate within, and out with the Citz."

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Jonathan Syson, chair of The William Syson Foundation, said: “The William Syson Foundation is delighted to be partnering with the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow to support its outstanding community and participatory engagement.

"The multi-year Core Support Grant to the Citizens Theatre is the Foundation’s first such award.

"The Grant forms an integral part of its strategic drive to provide significant core support to arts and cultural organisations in Scotland in order to help sustain their vital work and to widen arts and cultural participation and enjoyment for all.

"The Foundation recognises The Citizens Theatre as a cultural institution of national significance in and for Scotland.

"The Citizens Theatre combines high-quality artistic development and world-renowned onstage performance with exceptional community engagement to deliver demonstrable public benefit.

"This, in turn, provides the Foundation with confidence in making a sizeable, multi-year Core Support Grant.

"The William Syson Foundation looks forward to working with the Citizens Theatre in the years to come and wishes it ongoing success as it moves towards re-opening in 2025.”