Horsecross (the organisation that runs Perth Theatre and Perth Concert Hall) is delighted to announce that we have been named as the winner in the Business in the Community category at the Tayside Business Awards 2006.
Organised by Scottish Enterprise Tayside, the Tayside Business Awards is an opportunity to celebrate the success of local businesses of all sizes and sectors. Now in its fourth year, this is a premier event in the business calendar.
Horsecross was announced as the winner at the awards ceremony on Friday evening (17 March) for our commitment and contribution to the local community.
Horsecross is here to generate a buzz about Perth in each of its three areas of business — culture, conferences and community
, says Jane Spiers, chief executive. As a cultural enterprise we aim to bring a new energy and flair to the arts across Perthshire, and key to this is creating opportunities for people in our local community to take part. It's tremendous to have this area of work recognised.
When we took on the running of the new concert hall, we had a simple message we wanted to get across which was — no matter who you are, what you do or where you come from, this is your hall. For us, the key to successful regeneration isn't just about bricks and mortar, it's about revitalising communities. This is why I was particularly proud to accept this award on behalf of everyone at Horsecross
, says Jane.
Our ambition at Horsecross is for Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre to be at the heart of community life and for our venues to be a destination and a resource base for the whole community. Community participation and engagement is a critical success factor for Horsecross.
Our community launch weekend last September, Come Away In, featured a series of community projects that took place all over Perth & Kinross in the months leading up to the opening. These directly involved more than 1,000 people of all ages and abilities from children in single teacher rural schools to housebound senior citizens, to groups with learning and physical disabilities to young people from all walks of life. Each project was run by experienced and award winning artists.
A spectacular 16,000 people passed through the doors of the concert hall over that single weekend
, says Jane. It was a tremendous achievement for everyone involved and heralded the start of many exciting things to come.
More recent community initiatives include The Big Sing, a community choir and The Junk Yard Music Project, for young people. The Horsecross community team is also currently working with local organisations including Headway Brain Injury Association, Tayside Carers Support Network and an Adult Learners project with NCS Goodlyburn amongst many others.
Horsecross will now automatically qualify for the national final organised by Scottish Enterprise in Summer 2006.