Economic impact

Culture and creativity make an important yet often underrated contribution to Scotland’s economy. The Creative Industries contribute more than £7 billion to the Scottish economy each year and support more than 80,000 jobs accounting for 3.2% of employment in Scotland.” (Scottish Government’s National Cultural Strategy)

We play a big role in Fife’s economy by leading and supporting capital projects which contribute significantly to economic regeneration; being a key partner in fundraising and attracting national inward investment; bringing people into our town centres to visit our venues; and developing Fife’s cultural tourism.

Adam Smith Theatre

The Favourite

Head of a Lady, JD Fergusson

Kelty Clippie

Ladyboys of Bangkok

Audiences at Carnegie Hall

Capital investment for Kirkcaldy

Capital investment for Kirkcaldy

During this year we started to design an ambitious vision for an Adam Smith Cultural Hub as part of the bigger picture to breathe new life across Kirkcaldy town centre. In the proposals, the Adam Smith Theatre would undergo the biggest transformation in its history with the £3 million project changing every aspect of the historic building to turn it into a creative hub that sits at the heart of the town centre. The proposals outline a redesign that gives a complete makeover to the main theatre and introduces new performance, work and creative spaces that will change it from a civic theatre to a modern multi-purpose facility.

The early response from Fife Council, who we have approached to help fund and manage the development, is very positive. Their support allows us to leverage further investment and we are working with partners to raise additional funding.

Inward investment

Inward investment

Capital investment is one of many ways in which we leverage funding for Fife. As a charity we apply for funding to a variety of national sources such as the Scottish Government and the Scottish Book Trust, the latter helping to fund Judy Murray’s event (pictured) at Rothes Halls. During this financial year our museums and galleries team fundraised over £50,000.

Over £500,000 secured for Fife

Over £500,000 secured for Fife

As part of the Dunfermline Heritage Partnership, the Trust played a lead role in securing funding of over £500,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government. This is leveraging further funding, reaching over £1 million in total and is helping to develop Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and mid-Fife’s heritage and tourism over three years. Work started in early 2018.

Shell sponsorship

Shell sponsorship

Shell provides significant sponsorship for our Fife Art Competition. As well as funding from from the public and private sector, we are enormously grateful to our customers for their support for our charity through buying tickets and making donations.

Footfall in our town centres

Footfall in our town centres

We are one of the biggest drivers of footfall into town centres. Our museums and galleries alone attracted a footfall of nearly 400,000 to their venues, our libraries clocked up nearly 1.5 million visits and our theatres welcomed 111,551 visitors. We supported Dunfermline’s Outwith Arts Festival, which brought 7,100 people into the town centre and generated a net income of £155,000 for Dunfermline in 2018.  Income is expected to double in 2019.

'In kind' investment for Fife

'In kind' investment for Fife

Investment ‘in kind’ for Fife has a big impact on the region. Whether it’s the support that we secure through national partnerships with organisations like the National Museum of Scotland or by attaining resources and time. Just one very important example of this is our volunteering programme which meant that Fife benefitted from 9,041 hours of volunteer time – with a value of £67,807.