The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
New home for Perth business programme
Elevator’s Perth-based creative accelerator programme has moved into new premises ahead of the start of its latest 12-week development programme next month.
Elevator, which also runs an accelerator programme in Dundee, previously operated from within the AK Bell Library in Perth.
It will now be housed within the Creative Exchange in the former St John’s Primary School on Stormont Road.
The Perth programme focuses on the creative industries and so is complimentary to the artist’s studios within the building, which is managed by Wasps.
Lynne Martin, who runs the Accelerator programme in Perth, said the move to the new premises would benefit the delivery of the programme.
She said: “Wasps have taken the old school and portioned up the classrooms into studios.
“It has a real community feel. “We are moving into the old gym hall, which has been transformed with a mural by Abandon Ship.
“It is a flexible space that can be set up as a lecture theatre or portioned out into workshop spaces and breakout spaces.”
The Perth programme is sector specific, with advice tailored for people in the creative industries.
As a folk singer who has taken shows to the Edinburgh Fringe, Ms Martin said she was well placed to work with creative people.
“People get the same robust 12-week business programme that covers things like modelling, finances and branding, but the approach is slightly different,” she said.
“When you’re creative, money can sometimes be a bit of a dirty word and it’s not – you want to sustain yourself and grow as an artist and you have to be able to get the cash in somehow.
“We help them figure that out and give them the confidence to start to look at themselves a bit more commercially.”
The participants on the course have access to laser cutters and 3D printers.
An event will be held in the building tonight from 6-8pm for people to hear more about the accelerator programme.