Over £700,000 raised for Dundee cultural organisations
The £1 million Dundee Cultural Recovery Fund, established to support Dundee’s leading independent cultural organisations, is over two thirds of the way to achieving its target.
Since the fund was launched on 20 August the campaign has raised £355,000 in donations, bringing the total to £710,000 with match funding from The Northwood Charitable Trust. The Northwood Charitable Trust, the Thomson family’s private charitable organisation, has offered £500,000 to the campaign as a challenge fund, to match other contributions pound-for-pound.
Contributions have been made by the Leng Charitable Trust, Mathew Trust, RJ Larg Family Trust, the Lethendy Charitable Trust, Tay Charitable Trust, MHA Henderson Loggie, Young family, and Morris and Joyce Leslie. £200,000 had already been received from generous private donors including Tim Allan and Alasdair Locke.
The campaign’s focus is on encouraging support from major donors who have previously supported Dundee’s world-class cultural organisations, as well as businesses and cultural philanthropists keen to support the city’s recovery from COVID-19.
The fundraising campaign, which is led by V&A Dundee, will benefit Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee Heritage Trust (operator of Discovery Point and Verdant Works), Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre, Dundee Science Centre, and V&A Dundee. Its aim is to offset some of the financial impact of the COVID-19 crisis and kick-start Dundee’s cultural and economic recovery.
Shona Robison MSP for Dundee City East said: “I welcome and applaud V&A Dundee for establishing the Dundee Cultural Recovery Fund. This fund will be a significant contribution towards Dundee’s economic and cultural recovery from COVID-19, and V&A Dundee has shown strong leadership and initiative by championing this cause.
“To have already reached over £700,000 is a fantastic achievement, and I commend all who have supported and donated to this campaign so far.”
Christopher Thomson, Trustee, The Northwood Charitable Trust said: “So far, the response to this campaign has been outstanding. We’re very proud to see people and organisations throughout Dundee coming together in this way to help secure and support our cultural organisations and community.
“We hope that our contribution to the cultural recovery in Dundee helps to safeguard our world-class venues but also, importantly, ensures that their wider economic impact and learning and community programmes continue to benefit everyone in the city and beyond.”
Beth Bate, Director of Dundee Contemporary Arts said: “The Cultural Recovery Fund and the significant amount of money raised so far is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through partnership working in Dundee.
“Like many sectors, culture faces a challenging future and we are delighted the fund has received this support from so many generous donors who share our belief in the economic, social and creative benefits of our work."
Tim Allan, Chair of V&A Dundee, said: “I am thrilled to see the generous support shown by private individuals, business, trusts and foundations for the Dundee Cultural Recovery Fund over the last month.
“These donations are a fantastic vote of confidence in Dundee’s major cultural organisations, which will be crucial to Dundee’s recovery, with their widespread economic and social benefits felt across all communities.
“With £700,000 of the £1 million target raised so far, the Dundee Cultural Recovery Fund is on target to provide vital support to the visitor economy in the city, investing in the future economic success of Dundee’s cultural sector. But we are still pushing on and all donations are gratefully received.”
All contributions to the Dundee Cultural Recovery Fund are very welcome: contact barry.ferguson@vandadundee.org
