Creative hub fired up for national award

The board of directors from a Fife social enterprise are in the running for a national award.

Ian Moir, John Park, Billy George, Christopher McBay, John Gibson and Sarah Young from Dunfermline’s Fire Station Creative have been shortlisted for Arts & Business Scotland’s fundraising excellence award, celebrating excellence in innovative relationships between the cultural and business sectors.

The Fire Station Creative has become a hub of Dunfermline’s cultural community since opening last year, using the former fire station as home to artists, workshops and exhibition space.

The charity says this year’s shortlist is one of the most diverse in recent years, with a strong emphasis on projects enabling benefits for rural and urban communities.

Its chief executive David Watt said: “This year’s shortlist is a fantastic reflection of the innovation and creativity which exists between the cultural and business sectors, contributing to a thriving and vibrant cultural offering here in Scotland.”

For the first time the awards will recognise those who have made a significant contribution to the fundraising efforts of an arts, cultural or heritage organisation.

The Fire Station Creative’s board members are in the running along with individuals from the National Theatre of Scotland and National Museums Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway-based Alex McQuiston from Absolute Classics and James F McKellican from Dundee’s Friends of the Caird Hall Organ.

Mr Watt added: “Given the financial pressures facing arts, cultural and heritage organisations it makes perfect sense that we should celebrate the outstanding efforts made by fundraising teams and individuals.

“This is the first time we have included this category and we’re delighted to see such a varied shortlist both in size, objectives and geographical spread.”