Summerhall Arts, an independently registered charity launched in October 2023 to support, develop and enrich the artistic community and cultural fabric of Edinburgh, is close to signing a new lease to secure the future of consistent arts provision within Summerhall.
In order to preserve the year round programme of events, Summerhall Arts is also launching a fundraising campaign to help cover the core running costs of Summerhall’s artistic output.
Chief Executive of Summerhall Arts Sam Gough said “Summerhall was put on the market by the current owners in May. Since then, we have been working flat out to find a way to safeguard the consistent artistic delivery and the year-round programme of events at Summerhall, not just through the sales process, but into the future. Whilst the Fringe and other events for this year are safe, we have been conscious that a longer-term future for the management of the building and the delivery of the arts has been less certain.”
Summerhall Arts are delighted to be able to say that they are in the final stages of agreeing terms on an initial three-year lease that will mean they are able to take over the delivery of the entire year-round artistic and events programme at Summerhall from Summerhall Management.
Taking on this wider and bigger remit means that not only will Summerhall Arts deliver its planned ambitious and important programme for the improvement of the sector, but will now also take on the responsibility for delivering the annual Fringe Festival programme and the year round cultural, private and public events and meetings which are so vital for Edinburgh and its artistic community.
Summerhall Arts will also take on the employment of the programming and operational team that has made Summerhall such an important resource to the city of Edinburgh and to Scotland.
This plan has been welcomed across the sector, and has the support from the local community, politicians, government, councils and the creative sector nationally and internationally, many of whom have spoken out about securing the artistic future of Summerhall beyond its sale.
A statement on behalf of OEL, the current building owners says “We have always understood the importance of Summerhall for the culture sector and the city. This arrangement will allow Summerhall Arts the opportunity to keep the legacy alive and give them the time needed to secure a much longer future with any prospective new owners. We are supportive of their ambition to secure the future of Summerhall’s ongoing arts provision and will do what we can to facilitate their position.”
To ensure this ongoing provision, Summerhall Arts is launching a fundraising campaign which will help the charity cover the core costs of running the annual programme.
Donations can be made at www.summerhallarts.co.uk or through QR codes at Summerhall.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 