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New Sculpture Centre
We are nine months into the construction of the new sculpture centre which is scheduled to open to the public in June 2012. Over the coming month the windows and external screen along the cycle path will be installed, internal studio walls will be completed and the external access road will be completed. Our tree hosting project has been launched to enable us to bring on trees for the landscaping around the site and the studio application deadline is fast approaching.
About the New Sculpture Centre
Construction began in April 2011 on the new purpose-built facility for Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop which will benefit future generations of artists and position the organisation as a centre for fabrication, research and experimentation in the visual arts.
The new Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop has been designed by award-winning Leith-based architects, Sutherland Hussey, and will increase the profile of ESW locally, nationally and internationally, cementing the institution and the city as a leading centre for the development of innovative, multi-disciplinary, contemporary sculpture.
The new building will provide 26 artist studios, eight different spaces for production, research and education, two apartments for visiting artists, and meeting and social spaces.
After a major fundraising campaign, ESW raised almost £3.4M to fund the Sculpture Centre. Over £2.3M of this was funded by the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Awards. The project has also attracted substantial support from many trusts and foundations as well as generous individual donations and corporate support. The City of Edinburgh Council provided funding and the site for the project which ensured we could remain in Newhaven.
| Project Team | |
| Architects: | Sutherland Hussey |
| Project Manager/QS: | Thomson Bethune |
| Structural Engineers: | David Narro Associates |
| M&E: | Aecom |
| Landscape Architect: | Rankin Fraser |
| Contractors: | Grahams |
Sculpture Centre Timeline
| 1986 | ESW founded by a dedicated group of artists within the Federation of Scottish Sculptors, and the organisation constituted in November 1986. |
| 1994 | ESW moved into our current site in Newhaven and converted the building to include 12 (later 16) artist studios, a workshop with specialist machinery and tools, a shared working space which is used on a drop-in basis by artists or for courses and workshops, a meeting room and office space. |
| 1997 | ESW raising money for feasibility study into the potential of new premises. |
| 1999 | Feasibility Study re future premises carried out by Scott Wilson Consultants |
| 2000-2 | Consultation with artists, arts organisations and public users began around future development plans. |
| 2003 | Director & Assistant Director appointed to lead new development. Design Brief for new sculpture centre completed and Sutherland Hussey Architects appointed. Planning Committee appointed for Capital Project. |
| 2007 | Development Officer joins the team to help bring in private funding for the new sculpture centre. |
| 2008 | ESW secured major backing (£2.3m) for the new sculpture centre from the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Awards.
Planning Permission for new sculpture centre granted. |
| 2009 | Designs for Sculpture Centre reach RIBA Stage D. |
| 2010 | Sculpture Centre project out to tender with building contractors. |
| 2011 | Construction of Sculpture Centre begins in April. |
| 2012 | Building scheduled for completion in April and to open in May. |
Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop is located in Newhaven. |
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