Doors Open Days - September 2007
Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free annual architectural event.
Doors Open Days originated in Glasgow in 1990 where it formed part of the European City of Culture celebrations. The success of the event encouraged other areas to participate the following year and has now grown to cover almost every area of Scotland. More than 800 buildings are expected to open, generating over 200,000 visits to sites and hidden architectural gems of all kinds in locations throughout Scotland.
Many arts-related organisations as well as organisations who have received funding through the Scottish Arts Council will be opening their doors this month. Read on for more on some of the buildings open to visit in your area.
Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire
Ayrshire
Dumfries & Galloway
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Highlands
Renfrewshire
Aberdeen Arts Centre - with a varied programme of amateur and small scale professional performances, the centre provdes exhibition and performance space for local artists as well as touring exhbitions and performances. On Doors Open Day, there will be tours of the auditorium and lighting desk, as well as a programme of live music.
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Peacock Visual Arts - the main contemporary visual arts organisation in Aberdeen and the north east of Scotland and is supported by Aberdeen City Council, the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen. |
Peacock will offer self-guided tours around the workshops, darkroom and digital facilities as well as demonstrations throughout the day and a workshop in creating 'bootleg' tunes. You'll also be able to see their new exhibition, 'Lifting', which explores instances when art gets in the way of what is considered 'legal'.
Burns Cottage - visit the birthplace of Scotland's national poet.
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Harbour Arts Centre - redeveloped in 2006 with funding from the National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council, the centre has two multi-purpose studio spaces, a theatre space, gallery and foyer area, as well as stylish cafe bar. |
Palace Theatre - a rare chance to see behind the scenes of the Category A-listed red sandstone theatre in Kilmarnock.
Newton Stewart Cinema - opened in 1933, the art deco cinema was re-developed in the 1990s and reopened in 1997. Doors Open Days offers the chance to see behind the scenes.
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The CatStrand - Dumfries and Galloway's newly opened community arts centre and venue, in Glenkens, New Galloway. Doors Open Days offers you the chance to be one of the first to get involved in the new venue - become a 'Friend', sign up for classes and try some taster events. |
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Edinburgh College of Art - 2007 marks the centenary of Edinburgh College of Art’s Main Building. The building provides wonderful views of Edinburgh Castle and visitors can explore the Neoclassical Sculpture Court,where the College’s impressive Cast Collection can be viewed which includes the Parthenon Frieze, taken from first edition moulds.
Sandeman House and Garden - built in 1916 for Knox and Moray Free Churches in memory of Rev Dr John Sandeman, this building now houses the headquarters of the Scottish Book Trust. Go along to discover more about the work of the Trust, the building and enjoy the tranquillity of the garden.
Scottish Poetry Library - designed by Malcolm Fraser Architects, the award winning Scottish Poetry Library lies just moments away from the bustle of the Canongate. Although open to the public, its secluded location means you may not have discovered the unique charm of this library. Funded by the National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council.
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Talbot Rice Gallery - with three exhibition spaces, holding both temporary exhibitions and a permanent collection. The gallery has a commitment to showing exhibitions of work by Scottish and International artists, promoting knowledge, understanding and new ideas, through thematic exhibitions, events and publications. |
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Traverse Theatre - winner of four Fringe Firsts for it's 2007 Festival programme, visitors can experience behind the scenes tours of the theatre including access to wardrobe, props, stage management, dressing rooms and backstage areas. There will also be an exhibition of archives from the Traverse Theatre.
The Arches - tour the recently refurbished A-listed building, a cavernous subterranean arts haven that was originally used as a railway support structure and for the housing of dray horses. It is now home to a range of events including live music concerts, art exhibitions, late nightclub events, theatre shows and book events, and attracts over 100,000 customers every year. It houses its own café bar and is also the base for the Arches Theatre Company.
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Citizens Theatre - explore the nooks and crannies, including backstage of this Victorian theatre. Expert tour guides offer insights into the life of the theatre (on and off stage!). |
Glasgow Film Theatre - one of the UK's most successful, independent, specialist cinemas which still boasts much of its Art Deco interior. Free, ticketed, cinema tours every 30 minutes.
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall - 'Lally's Palais' was built in 1990 for Glasgow's reign as European Capital of Culture. The City's flagship arts venue is a dominant landmark in the cityscape.
Glasgow School of Art - highlights include the Library, Mackintosh Room and studios. Find out about the £8.7m conservation and access project. Guided tours - numbers per tour limited.
St Andrew's in the Square - one of the top six classical churches in the UK which is now Glasgow's centre for Scottish Culture. Historic Scotland and many other organisations will be there with information alongisde the major Doors Open Day exhibition on the theme of the 200th anniversary of Wilberforce's Abolition of Slavery Act, showing how the slave trade related to many of Glasgow's street names and historic buildings.
The Briggait - A-listed building with magnificent cast iron and glass hall, the permanent home of Glasgow Sculpture Studios. Programme of activities and exhibition (by artist Sally Osborn). Tours will provide an opportunity to meet and talk to artists and see them at work.
University of Glasgow: Gilmorehill G12 - visitors can enjoy a tour of the former Norman Gothic church, which now houses cinema, theatre and conference facilities alongside the University's Department of Theatre, Film and TV.
Inverness City Partnership office - formerly home to art.tm gallery (now Highland Print Studio), the building is a mix of open spaces and bold colours, giving an eclectic feel. There will be displays of streetscaping and public art work, currently underway or proposed, in Inverness.
Northlands Creative Glass - a welcome to the world of Northlands Creative Glass of Caithness. With a demonstration of creative glass techniques by a local artist and a presentation by Peter Aldridge.
Paisley Arts Centre - converted from a church to an Arts Centre in 1987, now with a vibrant programme of events.
WASPS Studios - visit the studios to see current work by artists Caroline Watson and Marie Hay.
These are just a few of the buildings joining in on the Doors Open Days event. Keep an eye on the Doors Open Days website for more buildings in your area.
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Doors Open Days is coordinated nationally by the Scottish Civic Trust, and is part of European Heritage Days, along with Scottish Archaeology Month, which is coordinated by the Council for Scottish Archaeology. Both are supported by Historic Scotland.
Read more about the buildings and the arts infrastructure funded by the National Lottery through Scottish Arts Council in our Infrastructure section. | |