Exclusive:Funding a 'constant, indeterminate challenge' for Scottish Ballet's future as Budget looms

The organisation, one of the five “national performing companies” funded by the government, said the financial situation was a “constant, indeterminate challenge” and warned government action was needed it if was to maintain its current output of productions.

Scottish Ballet said the cost of touring and producing new shows was increasing, putting pressure on its bottom line, despite reporting a “pleasing but modest surplus” for the past financial year following two years of deficits.

The Scottish Government is due to deliver its Budget on Tuesday. Last year, it committed to investing at least £100 million more annually in arts and culture by 2028-29.

Other arts organisations, including the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO), another national performing company - which are given state funding on an annual, rather than multi-year basis - have also called for additional government support amid increasing financial challenges.

This week, Alistair Mackie, chief executive of the RSNO, said the future of the institution was facing “existential questions” if more government funding was not forthcoming.

In its most recent accounts for the year to 31 March, filed with Companies House, Scottish Ballet unveiled a surplus of £358,196, compared to a deficit in 2024 of £770,001.

It said it was “closely involved in discussions in regards to future funding commitments” with the government.

In a statement filed with the accounts, Scottish Ballet chair Jim Pettigrew said: “Financially, the company has ended '24/'25 with a pleasing but modest surplus, after two years of significant operational deficits.

“Looking ahead, as touring and production costs skyrocket and pressure on discretionary spend continues to impact ticket sales, the challenges that have impacted Scottish Ballet's bottom line post-Brexit and post-pandemic will remain a constant, indeterminate challenge.”

He added: “A clear and pressing issue that will need to be carefully addressed - in close collaboration with our major stakeholder, the Scottish Government - in order for Scottish Ballet to maintain output at current levels.”

The organisation said it had also refocused its commercial and fundraising functions in a bid to increase income.

Scottish Ballet’s accounts revealed it had increased its number of corporate partners in the 12 month period from 15 to 19. Meanwhile two specific appeals, one to support pointe shoes for its Swan Lake production and another towards paying for choreographers to work on The Nutcracker, had been successful, raising £16,750 and £10,666 respectively.

Meanwhile, revenue from merchandise and printed programme sales in 2024/25 was £144,247 for the period, a year-on-year increase of 66 per cent.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Scottish Ballet received £4,765,500 direct funding from the Scottish Government in 2025/26.

“The Scottish Government is committed to investing at least £100 million more annually in the arts and culture by 2028-29, having increased investment by almost £50 million to-date.”