Aberdeen Performing Arts has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to community and cultural life in the North-east.
A glittering black tie event organised by Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Star Business Awards was held at the AECC on Thursday, September 27 and was hosted by BBC Radio Scotland presenter and journalist Fiona Stalker.
Aberdeen Performing Arts, which runs three city centre venues – His Majesty’s Theatre (HMT), The Lemon Tree and the Music Hall – was presented with the Making the Difference Award for its diverse and inclusive Music Hall Stepping Out community engagement programme with projects such as Music Hall Babies, Young Ambassadors and Community Choirs.
The charitable trust was also a finalist in the Marketing Magic category for Granite Noir, Aberdeen’s crime writing festival.
The historic Music Hall has been closed to undergo a major transformation, safeguarding the future of iconic venue for generations to come.
Since its closure in 2016, Aberdeen Performing Arts has been running the Stepping Out community engagement programme across the city, using the redevelopment as a springboard working to connect with young people and more marginalised communities through the arts, to improve life chances and help create cohesive, engaged communities.
Accepting the award, chief executive Jane Spiers said, “A big thank you to team Aberdeen Performing Arts. Your dedication, ambition, team work and sheer resilience in seeing the Music Hall project through has been so impressive. It’s been a massive undertaking for our charity on top of the day job but we’re passionate about the project and proud to deliver it for the city. Huge thanks to our business partners, public sector partners, friends and supporters. Without your generosity there would be no Music Hall transformation and no Stepping Out projects. We’re now getting ready to step back in and we can’t wait to welcome everyone through the doors.”
Winner of the Making the Difference Award