Capitalising on Creative Spaces
Issued by Creative Scotland
£1.35m awarded to ambitious plans to transform cultural facilities and landscapes
Creative Scotland is pleased to confirm more than £1.35m Large Capital Funding, for buildings and a public art project, supporting three organisations to realise ambitious plans across Scotland.
Awards will go towards the creation of Scotland’s first centre for children’s literature inspired by JM Barrie’s Peter Pan in Dumfries and Galloway; and the restoration and upgrading of one of the UK’s oldest cinemasin Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute.
Funding will also go towards a major public art commission in the Highlands. New artworks situated along the banks of the River Ness will bring new perspective and profile to this inspiring Scottish location.
These awards are confirmation of Stage Two Large Capital Awards that will enable the projects to progress the delivery of their final plans.
Philip Deverell, Director of Strategy at Creative Scotland, said:
“The cultural infrastructure of Scotland will be boosted by these ambitious and inspiring projects which have been a number of years in fruition. Each is unique to their location, drawing on a range of inspirations whether historical, from the landscape or from the local community.
“Each will help to ensure that artists and audiences, across Scotland, can continue to present, access and enjoy a range of artistic and creative experiences.”
Funding has been awarded to:
Highland Council, ‘River Connections’, Ness River Public Art Programme, Inverness, Highlands
Four artists have been commissioned by Highland Council to create new public art pieces as part of the area’s Ness River Public Art Programme. Artists will create four new pieces of work along the riverbank that will form unique spaces where people can quietly experience new ways of interacting with the landscape. Artists selected so far for the project include Dress for the Weather and Annie Cattrell. This project will use the opportunity brought about by the River Ness flood prevention scheme to enhance the environment around the river bank. (Stage 2 award £259,000 - Development funding of £46,000 awarded in Sept 2012)
Councillor Ken Gowans, Chair of The Highland Council’s ICArts Working Group said:
“This is a great opportunity for the City of Inverness and the Highlands to establish permanent high quality Public Art as an integral part of the major Flood Alleviation Scheme for the City currently underway and which will enhance everyone's connections with the River Ness. We are most grateful for the major contribution made by Creative Scotland to this partnership project which also involves Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Inverness Common Good Fund and The Highland Council.”
Campbeltown Community Business, Campbeltown Picture House, Argyll & Bute
One of the UK’s oldest cinemas, first opening its doors in 1913, will be restored and a second screen and modern café and foyer area will be created. The refurbishment will recognise and maintain the historic nature of the A listed auditorium protecting its cultural heritage whilst also enabling the cinema to increase the diversity of programming within this rural part of the West of Scotland. (Stage 2 award £400,000 – Development funding of £33,000 awarded in Sept 2012 and 2014)
Jane Mayo, Chairman of Campbeltown Community Business, said:
“The redeveloped Picture House will provide the local community and visitors with a magnificent historic cinema equipped to modern standards and complemented by new facilities. The programme of films and live relays of international quality cultural performances, together with activities based on the heritage of the building and the evolution of cinema, will allow The Picture House truly to become Kintyre's cultural and entertainment hub. The reopened cinema will provide employment and play an important part in the promotion of Kintyre as a unique visitor destination.”
The Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust, Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway
The Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust will create Scotland’s first centre for Children’s Literature and Story-telling, in Dumfries & Galloway. The project is inspired by J M Barrie and his world famous character Peter Pan. Barrie spent five years at school at Dumfries Academy from the ages of 13-18 and Moat Brae house and gardens were acknowledged by Barrie as being 'the genesis' for his classic tale. The award will enable the Trust to restore the house and the garden will be re-invented as JM Barrie’s Neverland. (Stage 2 award £687,500 - Development funding of £45,000 awarded in Sept 2012) peterpanmoatbrae.org.
Cathy Agnew, the Trust's Project Director, said:
“To have news of this level of arts investment into Dumfries at the start of our capital campaign, is fantastic. It is a great vote of confidence in the quality of our plans and designs to celebrate the Birthplace of Peter Pan.