North-east superstar Emeli Sande has become the first person to take part in a pioneering fundraising scheme for Aberdeen’s Music Hall transformation.
Project Stepping Out lets members of the public sponsor a range of more than 150 items in the soon-to-be refurbished venue, ranging from £10 light switches to a £25,000 lift.
Miss Sande has kicked off the donations by paying for a piano which will be used by budding musicians for many years to come.
She said: “It’s so important for young people to have a creative space where they can express themselves and grow their passions.
“The Creative Learning Studio at the Music Hall will provide just that, and I’m pleased to be able to support the project with this contribution.”
The scheme was thought up by Aberdeen Performing Arts, the charity behind the £8.7million project.
Currently it is 78% funded, and on track for a grand re-opening before the end of the year.
As part of the project. detailed floor plans of the new-look venue have been revealed for the first time, outlining its new foyer and box office as well as performance spaces and meeting rooms.
And the public has been invited to take a virtual tour – and find individual elements they would like to fund.
Charlotte Farmer from APA said: “We have a completely new Music Hall basement level to relocate public toilets and recapture space on the ground floor for a new bright, open, inviting café bar and a new performance studio.
“On the re-imagined first floor for the first time there will be an inspirational new studio space for education and creative learning activities.
“We openly invite people to explore the transformed Music Hall and become part of its rich history by contributing towards an item of their choosing.”
She added: The Music Hall project is about much more than bricks and mortar.
“It’s been at the heart of cultural, civic and community life for two centuries and it has many stories to tell.”
APA chief executive Jane Spiers said: “Aberdeen’s Emeli Sande became the face of the Music Hall campaign in 2016 when she signed up as an ambassador.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have her support for our ambitious project which will secure a future for the Music Hall for the next generation of talented musicians.”
APA has invested £1.5million into the project, while donations have also been made by Aberdeen City Council, Creative Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Project Stepping In is the latest in a series of fundraisers for the project. In 2016 a scheme offering an engraved seat sponsorship in the name of a loved one was offered for £400 per chair.
The website can be viewed at projectsteppingin.com
Payment for items purchased through the site can be made securely via debit/credit card or by PayPal, with the option to Gift Aid your donation.
What else is on offer for sponsorship?
A total of 152 different items are available for sponsorship in the new-look Music Hall from carpet treads and bar optics to a glass wall and a lift.
£10 – Ceiling paint
£10 – Light switches
£25 – Carpet treads
£40 – Bar optics
£80 – Wash hand basins
£100 – Door handles
£100 – Microwave
£100 – Urinal
£200 – Board room chair
£250 – Backstage toilet cubicle
£500 – Interactive digital touchscreen
£800 – Glass washer for the cafe bar
£1,500 – Digital projector
£3,500 – Organ renovation
£5,000 – Glass feature wall
£25,000 – Reception desk
£25,000 – Customer lift
