Some of Glasgow's most iconic performing arts venues have been handed a lifeline, with £1.4m in support given from the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland

The Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund was announced by the Scottish Government in July, with venues such as Citizens Threatre, Tron Theatre and the Tramway Theatre all benefiting from the support. 

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Andy Arnold, artistic director of the Tron Theatre said: “Being able to kick-start and expand our regular Tron Creative and Tron Participation programmes over the next few months, and significantly, to have the opportunity to engage a substantial number of freelance creatives on innovative new projects that seek to connect with audiences old and new alike, gives us hope for a more positive and stable future for the Tron Theatre and for the arts across Scotland.” 

The support will help venues which were forced shut due to the COVID lockdown allow staff to return from furlough and avoid redundancies, as well as protecting them from permanent closure in the future.

Iain Munro, CEO of Creative Scotland, said: “There are significant challenges facing Scotland’s culture sector, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

"This funding for performing arts venues is much needed and will help organisations tackle these challenges but we are aware that budgets are finite and it is not possible to provide financial assistance to every organisation through this route at this time."

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The Centre for Contempory Arts (CCA), which currently is based in Sauchiehall Street, and Platform have also received support. 

While the fund will bring support for the venues across the city, the criteria to meet was criticised by one of Glasgow's oldest venues. 

The Pavillion Theatre was not eligible to receive funding as they had not previously received support from Creative Scotland. 

Venues would also have needed to be a registered charity or council owned or operated to meet the criteria. 

Iain Gordon, general manager of the Pavillion Theatre, said: "Did we expect more? In honesty ... probably not, but all we asked for was to be treated fairly, and considered for this funding relief in the same way as everybody else, after all, we do as much for the people of Glasgow and beyond in providing all round family friendly affordable entertainment as any of the others."