This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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National Theatre office
25/09/2003
The proposed Arts Factory in Greater Easterhouse has been identified as the preferred location for the National Theatre of Scotland administrative office, it was announced today.
Speaking during a debate in the Scottish Parliament, Culture Minister Frank McAveety said that practical issues would be discussed with the Arts Factory's local management committee.
The venue, which is under construction, is expected to be completed in 2005. Interim premises are currently being identified in the centre of Glasgow.
Mr McAveety said:
"The responsibility of the National Theatre of Scotland will be towards the people of Scotland; it is their theatre. It is about making the arts relevant to our communities and the people that live there.
"It is therefore fitting that Greater Easterhouse, which has demonstrated a commitment to the arts as part of the area's regeneration, should be our preferred location for the Theatre's administrative office.
"The Arts Factory has received £2.2 million National Lottery funding through the Scottish Arts Council. It is at the heart of the community and its main focus will be to encourage public participation in the arts. The local Further Education College, local authority and arts community have all contributed to its creation.
"National Theatre of Scotland's productions will be created from the best of our theatrical and writing talent and made widely accessible to audiences across Scotland. Our talent deserves and needs this bigger stage to work in.
"Its productions will lead the rest of Scottish theatre in setting new standards in the creation and presentation of work and it will have a special focus in involving young people in theatre.
"The National Theatre of Scotland will meet those expectations and I believe the people of Scotland will take it to their hearts, will take ownership of it, will hold it up proudly for the world to see."
Funding totalling £7.5m will be allocated over the next two years for the new National Theatre secured as part of the Finance Minister's re-allocation of End Year Flexibility (EYF) funds, details of which were outlined in Parliament on 11 September.
A Chair, Board and Creative Director will be appointed in the next few months. The Scottish Executive and Scottish Arts Council will establish a Leadership Group to oversee the process.
Greater Easterhouse Cultural Campus, one of the most innovative arts, leisure, learning and training facilities in Britain, and is being created right in the heart of Greater Easterhouse.
A £9.3m initiative, the Cultural Campus is the first-of-its-kind in Scotland. Its truly unique concept embraces three distinct, yet completely integrated components - Easterhouse Arts Factory, Easterhouse Swimming Pool and John Wheatley College.
The Arts Factory forms the Campus hub. Its environment will stimulate local residents, while creating an unrivalled hi-tech complex for local arts groups to expand their 20 years of experience.
Incorporating a library and Lifelong Learning Centre, the Arts Factory will physically connect the new John Wheatley College with a refurbished Easterhouse Swimming Pool. Arts provision will focus primarily on performing and visual arts and the creative industries. Facilities include: flexible auditorium, rehearsal studio, photography suite, and multi-media studio. Exhibitions and performances by visiting groups and theatre companies are planned.
Easterhouse Partnership funds of £0.5m have levered in £9.3m. Key funders include Glasgow City Council (£3.9m), Scottish Arts Council (£2.2m), European Regional Development Fund (£1.9m), sportscotland (£0.7m), Communities Scotland, NHS Greater Glasgow, John Wheatley College and Scottish Enterprise Glasgow.