Summerhall Arts, an independently registered charity launched in October 2023 to support, develop and enrich the artistic community and cultural fabric of Edinburgh, 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 launching a fundraising campaign to help cover the core running costs of Summerhall’s artistic output.

‘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.’ – Sam Gough Chief Executive, Summerhall Arts

Summerhall Arts, the independent registered charity, was set up in October 2023 in order to deliver an ambitious programme of professional development and artist support for the sector, and work with Summerhall Management to deliver an annual Visual Arts programme within the building.

Since May, Summerhall Arts has been working closely with the current owners, building managers and the selling agent to provide a clear solution during this transition period with the opportunity to negotiate a longer-term future with any new owner, once they have been identified, for the consistent delivery of the arts and events for many years to come within Summerhall.

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.

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.

‘Summerhall, and all that happens within it, is a vital part of the cultural landscape in the city and it is imperative that it remains. We are humbled by the support shown from the community and we have been waiting for the right moment to ask for your help – now for the first time we have a way to channel that love and support and directly help Summerhall preserve its future.

Summerhall Arts now has to secure the means to enable this transition, safeguard the output and the staff, by fundraising to cover the additional core costs associated with delivering the annual programme of arts and culture.

We will need public support to secure this future. Please help us by donating what you can to enable the year-round provision of arts, culture and community activity to continue.

Negotiating a lease for the ability to be able to continue was the first huge challenge, this is the next. We believe that the Fringe at Summerhall in 2024 will not be the last – please help us ensure it isn’t!’ Sam Gough, Chief Executive, Summerhall Arts

You can easily donate through our website www.summerhallarts.co.uk or through QR codes when you visit Summerhall.

‘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.’ – Stephen Kay, Cuthbert White, on behalf of the owners

‘Summerhall Arts are determined to find the best way to secure the future for Summerhall. Our hope is that that this interim 3-year plan will ensure that we can continue and cherish all that is great about Summerhall.

We know this is ambitious and we can’t achieve it without public support. Summerhall is a much-loved venue which brings international acclaim to Scotland during the Festival but also provides a welcoming, safe, open and well-used venue for the wider public and arts community throughout the year. We will need as much support as we can get to make this happen and we will be announcing more ways people can help us make this happen as we go forward.’ – Debbie Christie – Board Member, Summerhall Arts