Edinburgh Printmakers closes in on £11m funding target
April 19 2016
This takes the art charity to 90 per cent of its target total, prompting it to ask the public to dig deep for one last heave toward the capital costs for the build.
Page\Park have drawn up plans to transform the C-listed former North British Rubber Factory HQ into a visual arts centre specialising in fine art printmaking complete with its own workshop, galleries, education spaces, a deli-wine bar with terrace and art retail area.
CEO of Edinburgh Printmakers, Sarah Price said: “After a long search for a new home for Edinburgh Printmakers, we set our sights on Castle Mill Works as somewhere to create a contemporary and accessible arts centre offering a year-round public programme of exhibitions, events and learning experiences”.
“Our plans for the building developed - as did our ambition. This significant award from the Scottish Government enables an additional extension to the existing building to house high-quality creative industry workshop and retail spaces that will support an estimated 50 creative industry practitioners. Operating as an incubator we plan to engage with local young people to raise awareness of the career opportunities within the creative industries.”
It is hoped the new centre will open to the public by late 2018.
5 Comments
#2 Posted by Anon on 20 Apr 2016 at 12:11 PM
A Heritage Lottery Grant and Historic Environment Scotland funded the majority of this project and that would not have been given if the building wasn't listed. Well done for a courageous attempt at bringing a former beautiful building into creative use. Fund raising is very difficult for any project .
#3 Posted by Basho on 20 Apr 2016 at 17:14 PM
This looks like a great project. Much needed in the Fountainbridge area. I used the old Printmakers studio near Leith Walk. Look foward to using this new space.
#4 Posted by Islands of sanity on 20 Apr 2016 at 20:59 PM
Spot on Basho....again. Despite all the Placemaking stuff, these areas are antiseptic unless they are anchored with some real buildings and real activity.
#5 Posted by Terra on 23 Apr 2016 at 16:19 PM
Well done P/P. This is a good development.
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The wine bar seems a strange addition, given there's to be "education spaces" (children?), and dangerous print equipment.
Would it not have been more cost effective to utilise a building that wasn't listed and used the money to support, upgrade and improve workshop facilities?