Carnegie funding for the new concert hall announced
The philanthropic body has offered the funds towards the 'design and programming of the Dunard Centre Concert Hall'.
The concert hall will be the first purpose built facility of its kind for more than a century, and construction of the David Chipperfield design is expected to begin later this year.
The Carnegie foundation is led by Dame Louise Richardson, former vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford and former principal and vice-chancellor of the University of St Andrews. The organisation was established by the Scottish industrialist Andrew Carnegie in 1911, to manage the bulk of his philanthropic giving. Between 2023 and 2024, it awarded grants totalling $174 million and it is backed by an endowment valued at around $4.5 billion.
The funding boost comes as the Dunard Centre reveals the findings of new economic and social impact assessments. The Centre's operations are projected to generate £169.4 million in gross value added (GVA) over its first 20 years, supporting nearly 300 jobs in the process. Based on an estimated 200,000 visitors annually, the hall is projected to increase tourism spending in Edinburgh and the surrounding region by £8.6m a year.
The Dunard Centre may be renamed as philanthropist Carol Grigor who is behind the Dunard Fund has stated that the name will not continue. Ms Grigor has provided £35 million towards the building. The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal allocated £35 million to the project and public donations of around £80 million (which includes Ms Grigor's donation) will pay for the state of the art hall.
Jo Buckley, chief executive of the Dunard Centre, said: 'We are hugely grateful for this grant, which recognises both the global significance of the Dunard Centre and the role it will play in enriching the lives of local people, by giving them greater access to the arts. The money will help us develop and advance our engagement strategy, which is a vital element of our mission to create a 'Hall for All' here in Edinburgh.
'With a focus on supporting civic participation and socioeconomic mobility, we intend to build trusted relationships, design thoughtful creative engagement programmes, and establish the team that will bring this work to life when we open our doors in 2029.
'We look forward to the opportunity of exploring and sharing the parallels between the transformational philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie – and the mark this left upon the world –and the various ways civic society benefits from the provision of outstanding performance and lifelong engagement with music.'
Located in the heart of Edinburgh's New Town, the Dunard Centre will serve as the permanent home of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and a new venue for the Edinburgh International Festival. The Dunard Centre will open up a city centre site, previously closed to the public, into a new piece of public realm, creating a vibrant and inclusive creative hub. This central site has been strategically selected to maximise accessibility and connectivity. Situated within walking distance of Waverley Station and multiple tram and bus routes, the venue is ideally positioned to serve both local audiences and visitors from across Scotland and beyond. Its proximity to restaurants, hotels, and cultural landmarks further enhances its role as a key driver of economic and cultural activity in the city.
CEO Jo Buckley
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