Latest news with #NationalGalleries
The Independent
7 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Scots have best access to culture in UK but class divide exists, survey suggests
Scotland has the best access to culture of any part of the UK, according to a survey, but statistics indicate a class divide still exists. Research by National Galleries of Scotland shows 49% of people in the UK feel they have easy access to cultural space, such as museums and art galleries, compared with 64% of people in Scotland – even more than in London, at 54%. The lowest figures were found in Wales (38%), the East Midlands (38%) and Northern Ireland (46%). The polling found 59% of those in the higher socioeconomic group said they feel they have access to culture versus 37% of those in the lower socioeconomic group. In Edinburgh, 87% of those in the higher socioeconomic group said they feel they have easy access to art, while 68% said the same in the lower socioeconomic group. The findings come as the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) calls for a commitment from the UK and Scottish governments to fund the construction of a state-of-the-art storage solution, The Art Works, in Granton, north Edinburgh. It is hoped the facility will enable loans and touring programmes across Scotland, the UK and internationally, which curators believe could help reduce the socioeconomic divide. Figures show a benefit/cost ratio of 1.31, so for every £3 spent, £4 is returned in wider benefits to Scotland. Anne Lyden, director-general at NGS, said: 'The socioeconomic divide in access to culture in the UK is deeply concerning. Not only is The Art Works vital to the regeneration of Granton in north Edinburgh, it will also act as an enabler that will allow us to share Scotland's incredible art collection more widely across the UK. 'Our research clearly illustrates that more needs to be done urgently to ensure every adult and child is able to experience culture. 'We know that the benefits of art go well beyond the financial, with visits to galleries and museums increasingly being prescribed by doctors around the world to treat anxiety and depression. 'While our research shows that people in Scotland have greater access to culture than the rest of the UK, the reality is that this is not the case across the whole of Scotland. 'National Galleries of Scotland cares for Scotland's art collection for the whole of the nation, however, we are failing in our duty to make artwork for everyone and share the collection across the nation. 'The Art Works is the solution and will unlock the full potential of the collection, allowing us to share it, giving greater access to everyone across Scotland and the UK, and keeping it safe for future generations. Doing nothing is not an option.' Benny Higgins, chairman of NGS, added: 'The Art Works will provide so many benefits, including improving the accessibility of Scotland's national art collection, enabling it to be seen by more people than ever before. 'This incredible building will help us to share the collection across Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales, in areas who would otherwise never have the chance to see world-class art. 'Without The Art Works we're not only risking catastrophic failure by storing the collection in buildings that aren't fit for purpose, we're preventing people from having easy access to culture. 'Scotland's collection is at risk, in cramped and outdated storage. The Art Works is a solution that offers the best value for money. We need to invest to save, and we need to do it now.' The survey was carried out last month by Yonder Data Solutions on behalf of NGS, with 2,405 members of the UK public, weighted to be nationally representative on the basis of age, gender, ethnicity and region. This included a boosted subsample of 300 respondents from Edinburgh. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Scottish Government has provided £9 million towards The Art Works, this includes design and preparing the land for construction, and the 2025-26 Budget includes a further £3.1 million to progress the project and to cover temporary storage costs. 'Discussions are ongoing between the Scottish Government, NGS and the wider collections sector to ensure the project delivers the best value for money from any further Scottish Government investment. 'Ministers await the outcome of the UK Government's 10-year national infrastructure strategy and multi-year Spending Review in June to get a clearer picture of the longer-term capital position available to the Scottish Government.' A UK Government spokesperson said: 'We are determined to ensure that arts and culture are no longer the preserve of a privileged few and are carefully considering how we increase access for all'
The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Major Edinburgh art project in limbo amid funding concerns
The National Galleries of Scotland has been left in limbo after spending more than a decade pursuing plans for The Art Works - a purpose-built complex designed to open up access to its vast collection. It was previously announced that 97% of Scottish public art would be housed at the new complex. However, 20 months after securing planning permission, the National Galleries has admitted that it does not have the 'vital' finance in place to allow work to start on what it has described as a 'world-class home for more than 120,000 works of art". The Scottish Government, which has already committed nearly £10m to the project, has said it is still exploring how to ensure it will deliver the "best value for money". Earmarked for a site on Granton Park Avenue equivalent to the side of two playing fields, The Art Works is intended to bring the National Galleries collection, which is currently stored across several buildings under the one roof in a 'future-proofed' complex. Work on The Art Works project in Granton was supposed to start in 2024. (Image: John McAslan & Partners) It has warned that its existing collection facilities are 'over capacity and not fit for purpose' months after bosses revealed they had to raised an estimated £40 million over the next 10 months to carry tackle a 'backlog' of repairs at National Galleries buildings in the city to reduce the risk of a 'catastrophic' incident which damages works of art. The National Galleries of Scotland has been unable to start work on its next major building project, The Art Works, in Granton. (Image: John McAslan & Partners.) As well as delivering hugely-improved conditions and access for conservation and research, it will also be opened to the public to allow visitors to see how works of art are being stored and watch experts at work. Local schools and community groups will be encouraged to use the building, while there will be two new 'green routes' through the grounds of the complex as part of efforts to establish it as a new focal point for Granton. Work on The Art Works project in Granton was supposed to start in 2024. (Image: John McAslan + Partners) The Art Works has long been seen as critical to efforts to establish Granton as a new cultural hub, but has been overtaken by several other projects over recent months. While the National Galleries project has stalled, a £17.5m transformation of Granton's historic gasholder has created a new public park and amphitheatre for events, while Granton's historic railway station building has been converted into studios for artists. Elsewhere, a former warehouse complex has become home to The Pitt, a new year-round events venue, street food market and creative industries hub. The Scottish Government has already provided £9.3m to help pay for planning, survey works and early designs of the project, which was first announced in 2017 with a £75m price tag. The current estimated costs of realising the vision for the project have not been disclosed by the National Galleries, which insists it is still pursuing the project on the same scale as the scheme which received planning permission in November 2023. At the time, architects John McAslan & Partners, who worked on the transformation of the Burrell Collection in Glasgow and have been working on the Granton project since 2017, said they expected work to start on site in 2024. At the time, associate director Peter Lee said there were ambitions for The Art Works to become 'a destination that will kick-start other cultural initiatives in the area," as well as "contribute to economic sustainability by providing jobs and opportunities for other businesses, and support community pride and wellbeing." However, the National Galleries has admitted that it is unable to start work until it has 'anchor funding' for the project, which is earmarked for a site owned by the Scottish Government. The UK Government, which funded the 'Gasholder Park' project to the tune of £16.4m, has also been approached about the possibility of funding The Art Works. A spokeswoman for the National Galleries said: 'The Scottish Government has provided £9.3m of capital funds to date for The Art Works. 'This has enabled the National Galleries of Scotland to carry out extensive planning, survey works and technical design for The Art Works, which led to planning permission being granted at the end of 2023. 'However, we are yet to receive commitment from the Government for the vital anchor funding required to allow us to proceed with plans for this state-of-the-art building. 'There is a funding strategy in place, which starts with anchor funding from the Government. It is essential that we receive this initial anchor funding for us to implement further plans and seek further funding. 'When this anchor funding has been secured, we plan to source additional funds from private funds, donors and corporate partners. 'We have a successful track record in fundraising for capital projects and we are confident we will be able to secure the funds once we have the (anchor funding) commitment.' The National Galleries said it was too early to give a projected timeline for the project or an estimated cost. The spokeswoman added: 'Preparatory works have been undertaken on the land, these include surveys of the site and preparations in readiness for on-site enabling works and construction works. 'We have also begun planning and preparing the collection for movement once The Art Works build is completed. 'It will be a world-class, innovative storage and research building, which is vital to care for Scotland's art collection, now and in the future. We still aim to deliver the project to the same scale. Our current storage is over capacity and no longer fit for purpose. 'The National Galleries of Scotland hasn't yet taken ownership of the land designated for The Art Works and it remains under the control of the Scottish Government. 'In the meantime, we continue to meet with the Scottish Government, Edinburgh City Council and various stakeholders. 'Since the inception of the project we have been keen to ensure that the local community in north Edinburgh is at the heart of The Art Works. 'With this in mind, we have been working with groups across the area, We have worked in partnership with groups across the area, attending community events and festivals, and worked together on projects exploring Scotland's national collection, such as creating murals with artists in the local area. 'By forming these strong relationships early on, we believe that The Art Works will be a welcoming space for local people, offering a space to enjoy art, pop in for coffee with a friend, or attend an event with your family.' A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: 'The Scottish Government has provided £9 million towards The Art Works, this includes design and preparing the land for construction, and the 2025-26 Budget includes a further £3.1 million to progress the project and to cover temporary storage costs in the meantime. 'Discussions are ongoing between the Scottish Government, the National Galleries and the wider collections sector to ensure the project delivers the best value for money from any further Scottish Government investment.'
