Your Support is Key

Campaign 2015 – 2020, to create a new centre of excellence for performing and visual arts, the Meadowside Arts Centre (MAC) in Dundee’s former Head Post Office, is the largest capital campaign in UK independent school history. This section contains everything you need to know about this thrilling and unique city-centre High School development.

The history of the High School of Dundee is one of philanthropy. The Pillars were built in 1834 primarily on the back of public subscription. A wide range of citizens of Dundee felt it was a matter of civic pride and an expression of their responsibility towards future generations to give generously to build a school worthy of the aspirations of the city of Dundee.

In terms of buildings or capital projects, The Meadowside Arts Centre (MAC) is the third most important facility development in terms of size and potential impact in the history of the School, after the Pillars and the Margaret Harris building. As a centre of excellence for performing and visual arts for the School and a conservatoire to be used and enjoyed by the wider Tayside community, the MAC will transform lives and change the cultural landscape of the city. The transformative power of creativity and the performing arts is well documented, whether in terms of developing self-confidence, mental wellbeing and personal fulfilment. This will take that onto a new level. If you haven’t seen it yet our Fundraising Video provides a dramatic five minute insight into the project. As Stewart Murdoch, Managing Director of Leisure and Culture Dundee, says in our video, ’what I find really exciting about what this development offers is to complement a city that is using culture as a key instrument of its future: culture-led regeneration. This facility offers the wide range of those interested in the development of Music and The Arts an excellent opportunity.’ Support has been uplifting so far. The School’s Campaign 20152020 has now raised a significant amount in pledges and gifts, a remarkable achievement. I am asking you to join us on this incredible journey to get this amazing once in a century facility started. To those who are interested in supporting us in this wonderful adventure please do get in touch via the contact details on the website. Secondly, it is crucial that the School continues to offer a substantial number of means-tested bursaries. Quite simply, these have a massive impact, transforming lives and enriching the School. Many of our bursary pupils are amongst the highest fliers academically, in the arts or in sport. Each year approximately 20% of our Senior School pupils benefit from this support, some up to 100% of fees. Our ultimate vision is therefore to be able to take on anyone who applies to the School, whatever their means, within a maximum capacity roll. We are therefore always looking for generous benefactors who, perhaps themselves, benefitted from a bursary to make a donation to this incredibly worthy and fulfilling cause. To those who have already pledged or given to our Bursary fund or Capital Campaign we extend our warmest and sincerest gratitude! Your generosity, loyalty and support have been humbling, but also incredibly motivating. Thank you!

Dr John D Halliday, Rector

Campaign 2015 – 2020 centre of excellence for performing and visual arts, known as the Meadowside Arts Centre (MAC) continues to attract donors and supporters from all across the world, from former pupils, existing pupils and local businesses. parents of

To all those giving and who continue to give so generously to our School’s current capital campaign, for this I thank you most sincerely, and for all those who follow to help make our idea become a reality. This aspirational and transformative project will inspire and enhance lives of existing pupils, those who attend in the future as well as the wider Dundee community. All donations will be a truly amazing gift to future generations of people of the City of Discovery. Let us make an idea, a vision, become an everlasting reality. If you wish to be part of this once in a lifetime project and continue the cultural renaissance in and around the city of Dundee, then please contact the High School of Dundee Foundation through our Office of Development at +44 (0) 1382 202921 or email development@highschoolofdundee.org.uk.