Article Source: Citizens Theatre
Last Updated: 11 July 2024 12:18
The Citizens Theatre is celebrating a significant new funding partnership with The William Syson Foundation. The theatre’s pioneering Participate programme will receive £45,000 per year over three years – a partnership totalling £135,000.
The William Syson Foundation has introduced a new strategic programme of Core Support Grants for selected Scottish arts and cultural organisations; this award to the Citizens Theatre is its inaugural grant under the new programme. In making this multi-year grant, the Foundation embarks on a ground-breaking partnership that will allow the Citizens Theatre to build on the success of its renowned and extensive community engagement work.
The William Syson Foundation has previously supported the Theatre’s work with learning disabled adults and children and this latest support builds on the relationship first established in 2019.
The funding comes at a key moment for the Theatre, as it prepares to return to its Gorbals home in 2025 following a major redevelopment. The Participate programme will be integral to bringing the renovated building to life, ensuring the Theatre is a cultural and civic hub for all.
Over the next three years, the Citizens Theatre will develop pivotal new programmes, engaging with people who might never have considered involvement in the arts and forging new paths as a theatre at the forefront of social inclusion.
Participate projects during this time 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.
For participants, this work has many benefits including increased confidence and skills development, improved mental health and reduced isolation. It is also a source of joy for the individuals and communities involved.
Catrin Evans, Citizens Theatre 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.
Jonathan Syson, Chair of The William Syson Foundation comments: “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.”
A new documentary - now live on STV Player - tells the story of the Maclean Brothers and their self-confessed “piss poor” preparations the ocean adventure that lay ahead.
READ MOREAudiences are invited to travel the globe - both musically and visually - this May, as both David Attenborough and Eurovision head to the big screen at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MOREAward-winning smash hit musical The Bodyguard will star international leading lady Sidonie Smith as Rachel Marron and Olivier Award nominee Adam Garcia as Frank Farmer when it comes to Glasgow!
READ MOREThe 'department store for second-hand style', Charity Super.Mkt, in Buchanan Galleries is celebrating one year this May, proudly marking its longest-running store to date.
READ MORE2025 marks the next chapter in The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust’s legacy with the opening of a brand-new, world-class visitor centre with exhibition and retail experience.
READ MOREThe Last Laugh will arrive at Glasgow's Theatre Royal this summer following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe!
READ MOREPavilion Festival has rounded off its biggest ever event with over 16,000 music fans enjoying three days of non-stop live music and feel good vibes on Ayr’s iconic Low Green.
READ MOREFor one day only, families can experience Moana, Paddington, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in immersive 4DX at all 34 Cineworld 4DX screens nationwide.
READ MOREOriginal cast member of Midsomer Murders, Daniel Casey, joins new stage adaptation making its Scottish premiere at the Theatre Royal Glasgow in February.
READ MORESee the bestselling DSI Roy Grace book by Peter James on stage for the first time at Glasgow's Theatre Royal from Tuesday 10th to Saturday 14th June.
READ MORECelebration of the iconic late Beatle's life and music will be performed at 26 venues nationwide.
READ MOREThis June, Dobbies Garden Centres is presenting a brand-new way to celebrate Father’s Day, combining a hearty Sunday roast with a hands-on grow-your-own herb planting workshop.
READ MORENominations for the Blue Light Awards Scotland, recognising the courage, commitment and community spirit of our Blue Light Services, are now open.
READ MOREThe Urban Forestry Programme is supporting projects in urban areas to help more people experience the benefits of trees.
READ MORENewly-crowned Masters Tournament champion Rory McIlroy is set to compete for a second Genesis Scottish Open title!
READ MORERoll up your sleeves and get stuck in as Cheez-It® and Fat Hippo announce the ultimate collaboration.
READ MORETo celebrate 40 years of legendary music, Simply Red are releasing their concert film 'Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago' on the big screen.
READ MOREPavilion Festival 2025: From Big Top, live music to secret gigs - here's what to expect!
READ MORELychee Oriental, Glasgow's modern Cantonese restaurant, will launch its second location in the city's Southside tomorrow.
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair is back for its 36th year at Scone Palace, taking place 4th - 6th July 2025.
READ MORECalling all bookworms and their four-legged friends... this could be the ulti-mutt afternoon you've been waiting for!
READ MOREGlasgow children are getting behind their city’s 850th birthday celebrations as a week-long Glasgow 850 Schools' Festival gets underway at primary schools across the city.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres are welcoming children across the UK to join in on the fun this May to uncover all there is to know about grass at its free Little Seedlings Club workshop.
READ MORELoch Lomond Shores is hosting a continental market on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of May!
READ MOREScotland's biggest night of traditional music Hoolie in the Hydro will celebrate Glasgow comedy and folk music legend Sir Billy Connolly in larger-than-life style later this year!
READ MOREDue to high demand, an extra Bookface Sip & Swap event with Lisa Jewell will take place on Tuesday 8th July at Saints of Ingram, Glasgow, from 12.30–3.30pm.
READ MOREGlasgow Kiltwalk 2025 attracted so many kind-hearted walkers this weekend that organisers had to add an extra day to create the world's biggest ever Kiltwalk!
READ MOREAward-winning dance company Barrowland Ballet present world premiere of Wee Man and the revival of Chunky Jewellery, ahead of Edinburgh Festival Fringe transfers this year.
READ MOREThe epic Ashton Lane Summer Street Party is back for West End Fest 2025, taking over the cobbled lane for a full weekend of live music, street performers, DJs, street food and alfresco drinks!
READ MORELaugh in the Park, Glasgow Southside's annual comedy festival, has announced their line up featuring nine of the absolute best performers to be found in Scotland!
READ MORE