Arts Project To Boost John O'Groats
5th December 2011
Two Scottish artists, with an impressive award winning portfolio of projects from across the UK, are to consult with the John O'Groats community to deliver a long term artistic plan for the village's redevelopment.
Working on projects like Great Glen House which is the SNH headquarters in Inverness, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum Glasgow and the Science Museum in London, Dalziel + Scullion have established an international reputation as environmental artists.
Funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), their work in Caithness will be to consult with local people and visitors to develop a unique concept which will create a strong feeling of 'place' for John O'Groats.
Matthew Dalziel said: "We are very interested in how artworks and art concepts can help regenerate and revitalise areas aiding the development of sustainable local communities, as well as nurturing relationships with the land and wider ecology. We look at the resources places have at their disposal, which could be physical attributes like mountains or beaches, or less tangible features like customs and ideas and use these to create artworks or objects that encapsulate iconic images that can play a substantial role in supporting a place as a location or destination."
HIE has been leading the development work at John O'Groats, including working with the community to create a masterplan for its regeneration, investing £1.8 million into the £6 million Heritage Great Britain and Natural Retreats redevelopment project, and delivering a very successful community art project to mark the start of the rejuvenation.
During this next stage of work, Dalziel and Scullion will work closely with all the interested parties to consider what additional impact art can bring to the development, including ideas for the iconic start and finish point.
HIE's Nick Scroggie, commented: "Dalziel and Scullion have won a number of awards for their work in art and architecture and we are delighted they are leading this phase of John O'Groats development. The masterplan which HIE produced was created in consultation with the community and visitors who live, visit and work at John O'Groats. We also want to ensure that the finished destination offers a real sense of place and that the quality of design will bring people here longer and to visit again and again.'
Speaking on the artistic plans, Natural Retreats CEO Matt Spence said, "We are delighted to support the consultation as it fits with Natural Retreats sustainable values and further reflects our initiative to support the local community. We want to embrace and fully support art projects such as this, that will help bring John O'Groats back to a landmark tourism destination."
The first of the community meetings takes place on December 14 2011.
Related Businesses
Related Articles
A programme of remedial works to bring Scotland's only funicular railway back into service at Cairngorm Mountain is entering a new phase during week beginning Monday 15 April. With the snowsports season now over, multiple teams from contractor Balfour Beatty, appointed by Cairngorm Estate owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), are set to be deployed on the mountainside.
The five-year agreement between Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will also play a major role in contributing to regional economic growth. The signing of the agreement, by Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive of SRUC, and HIE Chief Executive Stuart Black, follows the official opening of SRUC's Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC), a valued addition to SRUC’s School of Veterinary Medicine, in Inverness by HRH the Princess Royal.
Deerness Distillery Ltd has secured £246,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the £820,000 development. Construction is underway at the distillery, which was founded by husband-and-wife team Stuart and Adelle Brown.
The Co-Chairs of the Inverness Castle Delivery Group, Fergus Ewing MSP and Cllr Ian Brown, are delighted to announce the award of £30,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in support of framing the 57 panels that will form the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands. This financial commitment from HIE has contributed significantly to the preservation of the 57 panels created by communities across the Highlands and Islands, of which 32 will be included in the first exhibition as part of the Inverness Castle Experience.
Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables Ltd plans to establish major operations in the region, supplying high voltage cables to the growing offshore wind energy sector. A funding package has been agreed to secure an estimated £350m in inward investment for Scotland, based in the Highlands.
As part of the study, businesses, community groups and social enterprises with future land or property plans are encouraged to complete a short survey by 22 March 2024. Whether it's interest in land for sale or space to lease, HIE is keen to hear from organisations already based in the region as well as from those that are considering locating a business to the area.
L&M Engineering has secured a grant of £58,914 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the development, which is set to boost business turnover by £1.2m and create two jobs over the next three years. The company is diversifying its operations to cater for additional aquaculture markets.
Most businesses in the Highlands and Islands consider their links with the local community as either equal to or more important than their profitable growth. This is one of the key findings of the most recent rural business survey commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in partnership with South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE).
Dynamic business support programme, IMPACT30, is aimed at nurturing and empowering the next generation of innovative leaders. The fully funded programme is for people aged under 35 in a young enterprise and in a key decision-making role.
A project to increase electricity supply and reduce emissions on a west coast island has been awarded more than £25,000 by HIE. The HIE funding is being used to replace and upgrade high voltage transformers and other associated equipment to enable a major upgrade of the renewable energy supply on the Isle of Muck.
