ESW and ECA- A Special Relationship

At an event in the Creative Laboratories on 11th March Adrian Bell, Chair of Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop and Professor Chris Breward, Principal of Edinburgh College of Art and Vice Principal Creative Industries and Performing Arts at the University of Edinburgh, signed an agreement which formalises the long-standing partnership between both organisations.

There have always been strong links between the organisations. Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop was set up by a group of graduates from Edinburgh College of Art and our Chair for many years, Professor Bill Scott, was Head of the School of Sculpture as well as being an Honorary Fellow of the College.
Professor Breward said on the night: “This agreement formalises the existing partnership between Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop and Edinburgh College of Art. To date this has been based around a sharing of the physical resources of both organisations, knowledge exchange co-ordinated formally through joint public and research projects, student projects and internships which introduce future practitioners to ESW and fundraising activities. Working in partnership will enable both organisations to promote Edinburgh internationally as a destination for talented individuals and retain this talent in future. Both organisations have a commitment to promoting public access and engagement through learning, and for developing and supporting a healthy and thriving arts sector which enables artists to build sustainable careers.”

 

Adrian Bell acknowledged the huge value of such a partnership. “Working with an institution of the status of the University of Edinburgh will be a significant opportunity for Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, particularly at this stage in our development as we launch the new Creative Laboratories. Equally we hope that being able to make links with the arts sector and creative industries through use of ESW’s fantastic spaces, our programme and our connections will continue to be of real benefit to the staff and students of ECA.”