Capital projects

The Scottish Arts Council’s programme for capital investment ran from 1995 to 2009.  It used National Lottery funding to support the development of the infrastructure resources for the arts in Scotland. It did this by helping to provide a sustainable network of accessible arts facilities, equipment for arts organisations, and public art projects for communities across Scotland based on the premise that:

• The arts play an important role in creating sustainable communities.
• They are a focus for renewal in rural and urban areas.
• They assist in the well-being of individuals and communities by encouraging and enabling social interaction.
• They give the young, the vulnerable and the disadvantaged a voice and they are an investment in the creative energies and skills of future generations.

We funded projects for:

• the development of key infrastructure resources for visual arts, drama, literature, and music.
• a wide range of equipment including theatre lighting, seating, musical instruments, and vehicles
• the development and improvement buildings for, and as a resource for, the arts and artists.
• artists’ work in public places within Scotland.

Through our investment in infrastructure we strived to encourage and support high quality, innovative, and architectural approaches to delivering the arts. This was acknowledged on a significant number of Lottery funded buildings receiving awards in recognition of their archiectural quality.

We have included some examples below of Lottery funded projects which we feel encapsulated this approach.    

Please look at our Capital projects archive for more examples of building, small grants and public artwork projects. Browse through the case studies below to see some of the success stories.

The Steeple, Newburgh The Steeple in Newburgh is a stunning studio and events complex in Newburgh North Fife, the first of its kind in that area.

Timespan Located in the village of Helmsdale, Sutherland, in the north of Scotland, Timespan has received an extensive refurbishment and redesign to create a community arts hub.

Govan Housing Association The Portal is the first phase of a major regeneration plan for Central Govan, Glasgow, which transformed a row of derelict shops into an arts hub at the heart of the community.

Stills Stills Gallery, in Edinburgh is Scotland's first gallery dedicated to photography and an important part of Edinburgh's, and Scotland's, visual arts infrastructure.

Woodend Barn Arts Centre A small capital grant had enabled a number of important improvements to be made to the Woodend Barn Arts Centre in Banchory, Aberdeenshire.