Celebrate Aberdeen Awards nomination for Castlegate Arts Ltd.
Aberdeen Arts Centre operator Castlegate Arts Ltd has been shortlisted for a prestigious award in recognition of its dedication to supporting people in the local community.
The charity is one of three finalists in the Community Impact category of the 2025 Celebrate Aberdeen Awards, which highlight the achievements of third sector organisations across the north east of Scotland.
Interim executive director Sharon Catchpole said: “To be recognised for the work we do with the community in Aberdeen and the north east of Scotland is a real honour, and a testament to the hard work of all the volunteers and staff that make Aberdeen Arts Centre so special.
“In the last year we have supported around 35 local performing and community groups, and many of them face significant barriers to cultural participation – whether financial, geographical, or accessibility-related. Survey data from groups who use Aberdeen Arts Centre shows that 100% of respondents said the venue removed at least one of these barriers for their group, and 80% reported an increase in membership due to performing here.
“It is incredibly important to us to make the arts accessible to everyone that wants to engage with them – either on stage, behind the scenes or in the audience. By removing barriers and providing a professional yet welcoming space, we can help strengthen connections, foster local talent, and support the wellbeing of everyone in our community.
“We’d like to offer huge congratulations to all the other nominees, and we look forward to celebrating the achievements of the north east’s vibrant third sector at the awards ceremony in The Chester Hotel on November 1.”
Aberdeen Arts Centre is an independent arts venue in the heart of Aberdeen, operated by registered charity Castlegate Arts Ltd for over a quarter of a century.
For more than 60 years, Aberdeen Arts Centre has played a crucial role in the north east’s vibrant arts scene through its programme of performances, Creative Learning Programme for children and adults, and an Artist Development Programme to support local professional creatives.
In May 2025, the centre launched the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign – a three-year fundraising drive to raise £660,000 to secure its future. The campaign has raised over £125,000 so far. Individuals and corporate sponsors can find out more and donate at https://www.aberdeenartscentre.com/save-aberdeen-arts-centre.Aberdeen Arts Centre encompasses a 350-seater auditorium; café bar; flexible spaces for performances, events, exhibitions and meetings; and the Children’s Theatre, opened by Catherine Hollingworth in the 1950s as a pioneering youth theatre (the first of its kind in the UK) and now used as a vital resource for professional artist development.
