Taking inspiration from our neighbours

Yesterday we were privileged to visit Kilmahew / St Peters, invited by our neighbours NVA. It was wonderful to tour the site and hear from Angus Farquhar, Clare Simpson and Rebecca Powrie the future plans for the unique exhibition and performance space. Peering into the building and exploring locations such as the walled garden in the wider Victorian designed landscape, we got a real sense of the ambition and scale of the project and forthcoming programme soon to be realised on our doorstep in Argyll & Bute.

The opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences of capital development projects and arts programmes was really nourishing and gave us the chance to think about opportunities for working together in the future.

Thanks Angus for producing a flask of warm tea which provided us with much needed fuel after a few hours in the foggy outdoors.

Looking forward to the new Artist Centre

This evening we welcomed members of our local community, funders and supporters to engage with our plans for the new Artist Centre and the potential this improved space offers to develop our residency and public programmes. 

Guests heard from Architect of the new Artist Centre, Miranda Webster of Cameron Webster, our Chair, Seona Reid and Director, Julian Forrester.

The major capital redevelopment programme, funded by Creative Scotland and a number of trusts and individuals, will allow us to significantly develop our residency programme and for the first time offer an expanded and fully integrated education and participatory programme from Summer 2016. 

At the gathering we invited people to tell us how they thought a public programme of creative activities could be developed relative to their organisation, projects or initiatives for the benefit of the region. Thus we initiated conversations we plan to continue with our local and regional community.

Cove & Kilcreggan Youth Cafe pay us a visit

Wonderful weather this evening for a visit from all at Cove & Kilcreggan Youth Cafe. 

As a partner in the Argyll Youth Arts Hub we invited the Youth Cafe to explore the international arts centre they have on their doorstep, meet some of our residents and tell us more about what creative activities they would like to pursue. The BBQ on the soon to be gone decking fuelled exciting discussions about what the young people were wanting to do creatively and how Cove Park could make that happen. One thing high on their agenda was dance as proved by a group of dancers who were opportune in turning the centre, rapidly being emptied of its contents in anticipation of our move, into the perfect performance space and thus beginning our farewell to the existing building.