St Andrews’ Byre Theatre would be open to working with Fife Council towards the creation of a single cultural trust for the region, it has emerged, amid continued concerns about what impact budget cuts could have on the venue.
Despite rising attendances, the long-term future of the Byre remains unclear after the former Scottish Arts Council announced last year it was to discontinue its financial backing.
The Byre is run as a charity organisation but ticket income alone does not sustain the theatre, meaning funding from many sources including Fife Council, Creative Scotland and other trusts, foundations and organisations is vital to ensure it can carry on.
However, with financial constraints forcing the council to tighten its belt and putting future funding levels at risk, The Courier understands the establishment of a single trust-bringing together the Byre Theatre, Arts and Theatres Trust Fife (AttFife) and libraries, arts, museums and archives-is being viewed as the preferred option as it would save cash and avoid the closure of cultural and heritage facilities.
While no decisions have yet been taken, the Byre’s chief executive Jacqueline McKay confirmed the theatre’s board is willing to be involved in an options appraisal which aims to explore the best way forward although nothing has been ruled in or out at this stage.
“What we said to Fife Council at the beginning of the year is that we would be minded to work with the council to see what a single trust might look like as we all know that things are only going to get tougher,” she said.
“It would make sense to be part of the party but we’re keen to ensure that the integrity and the identity of the Byre is retained.
“We’ve had to cut our cloth accordingly to move forward this year but we still have a full programme this year and we’re open for business.”
Ms McKay added that the experience of the Glasgow Life trust model had proved it could be effective.
“Glasgow has a plethora of museums, libraries and arts venues that have managed to retain their own identity but still receive their funding from Glasgow City Council, albeit through a trust,” she said.
However, she went on to suggest that a host of organisations were bracing themselves for the impact of cuts.Tsunami”The Byre may have been part of the initial earthquake in recent arts funding decisions but the tsunami is coming up,” she said.
Donations through The Byre’s Big Give initiative saw over £50,000 raised for the theatre towards the end of last year, although its annual grant from the former Scottish Arts Council was for three times that amount and ran out in April.
Fife Council still gives almost £300,000 a year to the theatre, but councillors were told earlier this week that at least £2 million a year needs to be saved from related budgets due to cuts from central government.
Grant Ward, head of leisure and cultural services at Fife Council, said all options for the delivery of cultural services will be considered and confirmed the Byre would be involved in that process.
“It’s fair to say the Byre hasn’t had its funding problems to seek of late,” he said.
“It lost £160,000 worth of funding from what was the Scottish Arts Council and saw a modest reduction of £20,000 from Fife Council so effectively the position for 2011/12 is it has got £180,000 less income.
“It’s now in a holding position and it has got a budget that will see it through the financial year.”
He continued, “In an ideal world, the Byre’s board would like to retain its independence but their stated preference would be to merge with the council into a single co-operative trust.
“Whatever happens though, the Byre will be a key consultee in the process and there is a clear recognition that they are in a reasonable position where they have a fairly full programme for this year and the funding stacks up at the moment.
“But it’s clear that’s not going to be a sustainable position and we need to look at the best way forward.”