
I was delighted to hear the news that Creative Scotland announced £14.2 million of funding for Dundee-based arts organisations over the next three years.
This will provide vital support to a number of key institutions and ensure that our city's cultural scene goes from strength to strength.
The DCA has secured over £3.95m of multi-year funding - providing a much-needed lifeline to the venue.
Since its opening in 1999, the DCA has been one of the most important institutions in Dundee, playing a key role in the city's cultural renaissance.
Like many art venues, however, it has faced significant challenges in recent years, with factors such as the Covid-19 pandemic severely impacting funding and operations.
This new financial backing represents a huge relief, says DCA Director Beth Bate, though there is much work ahead.
Another significant beneficiary is Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre, with more than £8.3 million awarded.
This comes hot on the heels of an announcement of the Rep's 2025 lineup, making it something of a double celebration.
It's no secret that the Rep has been, for many years, a powerhouse of talent not only in Dundee or Scotland but on the world stage.
Brian Cox, who will return to the Rep this summer, and Ncuti Gatwa, about to start his second season as Doctor Who, are two of a very long list of stars who have honed their craft at the venue.
The Rep is the jewel in the crown, with its importance to the arts impossible to exaggerate, and this funding secures its future for years to come.
Though the DCA and the Rep take the headline in this announcement, several other Dundee organisations have received vital support.
Creative Dundee has been awarded £473,667, which will enable the organisation to continue championing the city's creative community, while Art Angel Scotland has been awarded £433,032 for its work in arts-based mental health support.
Dundee Ceramics Workshop plays a significant role in the growing craft scene within the city and will receive £172,400.
Generator Projects provides an important platform for emerging visual artists and has been awarded £313,061.
Meanwhile, innovative dance company Shaper Caper from Dundee has been awarded £376,000, while Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust, using the arts to promote wellbeing and reduce loneliness, will receive £199,435.
This guarantees a minimum of funding until 2028 and for some into 2029. The announcement gives optimism for the future of Dundee's creative sector after it was announced funding had been secured for Mills Observatory, which means Scotland's only full-time public observatory is secure for the foreseeable future.
Of course, this investment is great news, but it does not mean we should take these venues for granted. These are not merely buildings; these are the very lifeblood of our city's culture, its creativity, and its community.
We must also continue to support them-attend their events, engage in their work, champion their importance-so that future generations can have exactly the same opportunities that we currently enjoy.
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