5,000 people have signed a petition calling for a rethink.

A North Lanarkshire theatre has warned its future is at risk after it had its funding cut for future years. 

Cumbernauld Theatre said it is deeply disappointed their application to Creative Scotland’s Multi-Year Funding Programme was rejected. 

Around 5,000 people have signed a petition to save the charity-owned theatre from closure, with meetings set to take place with Creative Scotland. 

Opened over 50 years ago, Cumbernauld Theatre has been a home for original Scottish theatre-making, innovative live performance, and a thriving participatory arts programme. 

Every year, they welcome over 40,000 audience members, artists, and participants into the venue, offering a diverse and inclusive artistic programme that inspires, challenges, and enriches lives. 

The charity’s leadership says this latest funding decision places all of this at risk.

Cumbernauld Theatre said in a statement: “This decision is devastating for our organisation, our staff, and the communities we serve, as it threatens our ability to continue delivering the rich artistic and cultural experiences that have made Cumbernauld Theatre a cornerstone of Scotland’s performing arts sector.

“This funding was essential to ensuring that Cumbernauld Theatre could continue to produce and present theatre at the scale and ambition we had planned. While we will apply for the Transition Fund offered by Creative Scotland, this is short-term support and does not replace the long-term stability that multi-year funding would have provided.

“At this critical time, we need our community more than ever. Cumbernauld Theatre has always been more than just a venue – it is a space where people come together, where creativity flourishes, and where stories are shared. We are calling on our audiences, supporters, and stakeholders to stand with us as we fight for the future of our theatre.

“We are grateful for the unwavering support of the artists, audiences, participants, and partners who believe in the power of theatre to transform lives. We urge those who care about the future of cultural life in Scotland to continue to advocate for the arts, ensuring that communities like ours do not lose the vital creative spaces they rely on.”

Local MSP and Scottish Government minister, Jamie Hepburn, also called for a rethink of the funding rejection. 

A Creative Scotland spokesperson told BBC Scotland News they will meet with the theatre's leadership to discuss why their application was rejected and their options for future support.

They added: "Until those discussions have happened, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."