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Edinburgh Reporter
23-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Carnegie funding for the new concert hall announced
A grant of $1 million has been awarded to the new concert hall to be constructed behind The Royal Bank of Scotland building at 36 St Andrew Square from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. 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 Like this: Like Related
Scottish Sun
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Brian Cox play under review after only white actors told they needed ‘woke' training
It's a production about the rise and fall of The Royal Bank of Scotland. RACE ROW Brian Cox play under review after only white actors told they needed 'woke' training Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A RACE row has erupted over a Brian Cox play after only white actors were told they required diversity training. The National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) has launched a review after it was alleged white cast members were instructed to do lessons in misogyny and oppression awareness - while black performers were excused. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Brian Cox stars in the show where cast were offered diversity training. Credit: PA Succession favourite Cox, 78, will star in Make it Happen at the Dundee Rep. It's a production about the rise and fall of The Royal Bank of Scotland. The training brief stated: 'This training is not compulsory for people of colour or from the global majority, though their participation is entirely voluntary and welcomed.' Jackie Wylie, the artistic director and NTS chief executive, has ordered a review after the Free Speech Union (FSU) complained the training treated 'members of one racial group less favourably than members of others'. The union said: 'It is plain that actors of white European ancestry are protected under the characteristic of race. 'Case law suggests that having good intentions is not sufficient to counter a claim of direct discrimination.' The FSU, founded by Lord Young of Acton, said the specific exemption for black performers implied the 'training is only mandatory for actors of white, European ancestry'. Jess Mally was due to provide the £1,500 group training course. She's a London anti-racism educator who charges 'white folks' 50 per cent more than people from 'the global majority' in her publicly advertised lessons. The global majority is widely viewed as the 80 per cent of the world population who live outside Europe, North America and Australasia. Tickets for 'white and white-passing people' cost £150 a head, disabled and LGBTQ+ people pay £120 and 'black and brown' people pay £100. Brian Cox defends author JK Rowling and her campaigning on issues relating to gender The FSU has reported NTS to the UK equalities watchdog because the Equality Act prohibits employers from treating staff differently based on the protected characteristic of race, which includes skin colour, nationality and ethnic origin. The NTS said: 'We acknowledge that use of the correct language around the offer of this training is important and this is currently under review.'
