The Skinny finds funding to secure future
Charity Outer Spaces, a visual arts organisation, acquired shares of The Skinny’s parent company Radge Media CIC, allowing its doors to stay open
The Skinny, along with its sister magazines Fest and Gnaw, has been saved after the visual arts organisation and charity Outer Spaces purchased shares in Radge Media CIC.
Radge Media CIC closed its doors earlier this month, seemingly permanently. However, the new partnership between Outer Spaces and Radge assures the future of all three magazines and The Skinny website. According to a statement from both companies, Radge Media CIC will retain full editorial control over its publications.
Rosamund West, editor-in-chief of Radge Media CIC, says: ‘The Skinny has worked for nearly 21 years to shine a light on Scottish arts and culture, support emerging talent and connect people to the creative lives of their cities. The last month has been incredibly challenging, but the outpouring of support from contributors and collaborators reaffirmed the importance of a space for local, independent, cultural journalism. We're excited to become part of the Outer Spaces family, and to have this opportunity to continue our work within an organisation whose values align so closely with our own. We're incredibly grateful to everyone for their support and to Outer Spaces for creating this opportunity to secure our future.’
Shân Edwards, director of Outer Spaces, says: ‘Outer Spaces supports a sustainable, resilient arts ecosystem for Scotland by responding to needs in the arts community, and we recognise the vital importance of art criticism and writing that places focus on Scotland’s vibrant art scene. Alongside many peers in the arts community in Scotland and beyond, we were shocked by the news of The Skinny’s closure, we recognise the importance of strong, consistent and critical journalism as part of the arts infrastructure we operate within - which The Skinny has provided for the past 20 years - and were pleased to be in the position to intervene with a solution to allow continued operations in for The Skinny as well as Radge Media CIC’s other titles, Gnaw and Fest.’