North Edinburgh Arts Centre
‘Exclusively for Everyone’
Key contact: Jacqueline McKay
Address: 15a Pennywell Court, Edinburgh, EH4 4TZ
Telephone no: 0131 315 2151
Email: admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk
Web address: www.northedinburgharts.co.uk
The North Edinburgh Arts Centre in a nutshell
North Edinburgh Arts Centre is a purpose built arts centre with a 96-150 seat studio theatre. The Centre, the largest community-based arts centre in Scotland, offers a diverse programme of small scale UK and International touring theatre, dance, film, literature and live music at prices the whole community can afford. The Centre also programmes a range of multi arts activities in its studio spaces, gallery, recording studio/live rooms, café bar and garden. North Edinburgh Arts exists to provide high quality artistic experiences that stimulate expression and dialogue, entertain and free the imagination, within a welcoming environment.
The issues addressed
North Edinburgh Arts is in the centre of one of Edinburgh’s most deprived areas, Greater Pilton, which is part of the Capital’s social inclusion partnership. The Centre aims to be as inclusive as possible and to provide access to everyone – especially for people who don’t have many opportunities to enjoy the arts.
The Centre works to improve the local community through:
• a robust programme of creative opportunities
• contributing to community capacity building
• addressing the challenge of social inclusion.
The Centre targets programmes at sectors of the community that are most vulnerable to marginalisation; children, young people and their families experiencing social and economic disadvantage, ethnic minorities, communities with learning difficulties and the elderly.
The approach to the issues
North Edinburgh Arts has attracted audiences from across the city and beyond, particularly appealing to children, young people, schools and families with a distinctive year-round arts activity programme. Many of the events are accompanied by workshops and education resources which enrich the experience, particularly for visiting schools and nursery groups.
North Edinburgh Arts Centre's mission is to actively work to democratise culture and cultural experiences for as many people as possible in North Edinburgh. One way the Centre actively works towards inclusion is to keep ticket prices as low as possible. The current programme of activities includes:
• Writers group and reminiscence stories group.
• Family friendly café bar which hosts ‘film lunches’ and weekly live music sessions with local artists as well as a pensioners breakfast club. The café aims to provide healthy meals at affordable prices.
• Drama and dance groups. The Centre also encourages other artists and companies to use studio space and contribute to the programme of events. Edinburgh Arts Centre provides a valuable developmental resource for other artists and performers requiring the support of professional studio space.
• Live literature readings – this season’s programme includes visits from Scottish authors Christopher Brookmyre, Janice Galloway and Jim C. Wilson.
• Workshops for adults – this year’s programme includes ‘First Impressions’, a practical introduction to art history which encourages people to try out techniques themselves.
• Discussion events – chaired by Harry Reid, former editor of the Herald, these events are open to all and this season’s topics include; Housing who benefits?; Challenging the Powerful with Richard Holloway, former Bishop of Edinburgh; and Are the arts for all?
• In April 2004 the project launched the Good Neighbour Scheme which entitles people from certain postcode areas to a special ticket price which is even lower than the concessions price.
The Centre also works to encourage people from outside the Greater Pilton area to visit and spend time there, bringing together communities and people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Evidence of success
“Under the direction of Jacqueline McKay and her team of 10 staff, it [North Edinburgh Arts Centre] has become not only north Edinburgh’s but the whole capital’s leading venue for children, young people and families”. Karen Shead TES Scotland, February 2004.
In 2004 North Edinburgh Arts Centre attracted more than 10,000 visitors.
North Edinburgh Arts Centre has become Edinburgh’s leading venue for children and families with a year round arts activity and performance programme. For the past three years the Centre has hosted the Bank of Scotland Children’s International Theatre Festival.
In June 2004 North Edinburgh Arts Centre received an Engage Scotland Visual Art Education Award for ‘Big Art Wee Hands’ an innovative visual arts project for under 5s working with professional artists.
Setting up the project
North Edinburgh Arts Centre emerged in 2002 from two successful local arts projects – the Muirhouse Festival Association and the Pilton Triangle. The project had two initial aims:
• To create a strong sense of community and get involved in local life.
• To break the stereotype that community art is amateur and of poor quality.
The current building became possible with a Lottery grant of £3 million and funding by the Scottish Arts Council and City of Edinburgh Council capital funds.
Partnerships
Partnership working has proved to be an integral part of the Centre’s success and the project aims to continue working closely with a wide range of organisations and individuals from the public, private and voluntary sectors. Current partners include Imaginate – an arts organisation committed to promoting and developing the performing arts for children and young people in Scotland and Pilton Partnership – a community organisation with responsibility for community involvement in North Edinburgh.
Learning points
• It is very difficult to plan a long-term strategy when funding is project-based and short term.
• As a new project in an established area it can be difficult during the start up process to gain the support of the whole community.
• The children’s and young people’s activities and programmes are a real success story and a way to bring together people from different areas and backgrounds.
• Don’t assume that you will be able to attract local staff, even in an area of high unemployment.
A final message
Over the past two years the Centre has worked hard to include the whole community in its work and programme of events. Feedback from audiences and workshop participants go a small way to illustrating the value of the project:
“A place which offers really interesting, high quality entertainment for a really great price. It also offers good family workshops.”
“I like the atmosphere at the centre – it is very relaxed with a nice café bar.”
“A friendly venue. Always lots of activities going on. Good atmosphere.”
“I thought the acting was brilliant, the topic was interesting and the stories were really moving and well presented. All of the people that I came with really enjoyed the play and the venue.”
