The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
New centre is blank canvas for creative talent in north
Major hub opens after £2.25 million renovation
The first major arts centre to serve the north has officially opened after the £2.25 million renovation of a former Inverness school and college building.
Midmills College, the old Inverness Royal Academy, now houses studio space for artists working a range of art forms, from textile designers to an artist who knits glass.
The Inverness Creative Academy has been brought to the fore by Wasps, a charity that seeks to enrich communities across Scotland by providing quality and affordable studio space to let artists reach their full potential.
Wasps chief executive Audrey Carlin said: “I am just delighted to see the building up and operational and see the breadth of talent and disciplines that have come into the building.
“It is really encouraging to see people move in and start to work straight away. It’s what we’ve been working towards, so it is great to see it happen so quickly.
“We are looking to keep creative talent in the Highlands and allow it to develop in the Highlands.
“We wish to ensure that anybody working in the creative industry, or going through a creative industry course at the moment, feels that they can stay and be supported in the Highlands.
“This is about retaining the Highlands cultural identity, allowing artists who want to stay in the Highlands to remain; to make work in the Highlands, and to make a living here and contribute to the economic climate.”
The building is the 19th to open across Scotland with other Wasps hubs already up and running in Nairn, Orkney, Shetland and Skye.
Previously the building was occupied by Inverness College until 2015 before extensive renovation works were conducted by Robertson Construction.
Ian Phillips, operations director for Robertson Construction Northern, said: “It’s gone very well for us. When you are refurbishing a listed building, it comes with its own challenges and the biggest part of that is retaining the existing character and ensuring that it is done in a sympathetic way.
“I think it looks fantastic. For me and the business it is nice to be involved in something a bit different to the normal run of the mill.
“It is not every day you get the opportunity to be involved in creating a facility like this.”
The creative academy is operating at around 70% capacity with enough space for 30 artists.
The second phase will see a further 54 spaces added in the adjoining building.
Around £1.35m of the project’s £3.45m cost is being sought, which will pay to renovate the old Assembly Hall of Inverness Royal Academy.
The hope is that it can be completed by the summer of 2020, and it will contain a cafe area and meeting rooms.
Artists have praised the Academy as providing professional workspace, as well as combating the issue of loneliness and isolation that many experience.
“It is really encouraging to see people move in”