Whodunnit? Mystery over £3m prize to build new arts venture

Published on Monday 3 November 2008 21:03

A £3 MILLION award to build a new "creative and elegant" arts venue in Edinburgh was unveiled yesterday.

Competitive bids were invited yesterday to win funding for a new or refurbished arts space of "exceptional architectural and cultural merit" for Edinburgh. The winning project, to be built by 2013, could be anything from a concert hall to artists' studios.

Speculation was intense over the identity of the anonymous donor behind the extraordinary scheme, who will have the last call on whether to pay for the project. JK Rowling and Sir Sean Connery have been ruled out, sources said. Speculation ran from wealthy Americans with Scottish ties to old Edinburgh families with a history of giving.

The Scottish Community Foundation (SCF)2, which usually funnels smaller donations to community projects, is handling the "arts funding prize for Edinburgh". Staff said yesterday it will take first-round applications in April 2009. Promising proposals could receive 10,000 in development money, with a final choice by a judging panel in 2010 – to be ratified by the donor.

"The donor behind this prize has a deep commitment to the arts in Scotland and wishes to remain anonymous," said Giles Ruck, the SCF chief executive, praising the "sheer generosity".

There are several arts buildings in Edinburgh that have languished on the drawing board for years for which 3 million would be a big jump-start.

Supporters have clamoured for a new red-carpet venue for the Edinburgh International Film Festival, for example, or a mid-sized concert hall, or the Scottish National Photography Centre on Calton Hill.

Directors of several major arts organisations were at yesterday's launch. Jenny Dawe, the City of Edinburgh Council leader, called it "extremely exciting". She continued: "In these financially fragile times, it's more important than ever that we don't lose sight of the benefits of the arts."

The SCF works with about 90 organisations or individuals, including JK Rowling's The Volant Charitable Trust, but no past donors were involved with by far the largest grant in its history, said Mr Ruck. Other names circulating included Carol Colburn Hgel, an American who oversees her family's Dunard Fund. It has given millions of pounds to the arts in Scotland.

However, the SCF said the donor was UK-based, ruling out Sir Sean, who lives in the Bahamas. Speculation ranged from the literary philanthropist Drue Heinz to Sir Gerald Elliot, a former chairman of the Christian Salvesen group.

Rules for the prize are strict. The new building must be finished by 2013 and the award cannot be used to fund repair, maintenance, or running costs.

A judging panel will select the most "creative and elegant" project to bring "joy and delight", but the donor will have the last say on whether the money is given out at all.