Travelling Gallery launch new vehicle
Modern Scottish Icon the Travelling Gallery is back on tour, hitting the streets of Scotland with a brand new vehicle, high-tech upgrade and a new show featuring specially commissioned work inspired by architecture and design
On April 12 the City of Edinburgh Council will launch its brand new Travelling Gallery vehicle. The new Travelling Gallery is custom built, with an interior designed by Edinburgh based architects Sutherland Hussey and a striking exterior artwork by Mandy McIntosh. The new vehicle replaces the current Travelling Gallery bus, which has been touring to schools and communities throughout Scotland for nearly 25 years.
As well as being an attractive and welcoming space, the new Travelling Gallery will have many improved facilities. These include a pavement level entrance and better facilities for people with disabilities, including a hearing loop system. There will also be increased floor space, sophisticated new audio visual and IT equipment, as well as air conditioning, CCTV, and increased security and storage.
The opening exhibition, 'Build It and They Will Come', is a group show, focussing on artists whose work is inspired or influenced by architecture and the built environment. Exhibiting artists are Cath Campbell, Donna Conlon, Will Duke, Matthew Houlding, Toby Paterson and Susie Wright. The exhibition includes new work commissioned for the new space.
Iain Munro, Assistant Director Policy, Scottish Arts Council said:
"The Travelling Gallery has been a rolling success since it first took to the road. Not only does it allow rural communities to experience the best quality contemporary art, it also takes art into communities that would not otherwise be able to enjoy it easily. The combination of high quality work, with a knowledgeable and committed team brings the benefits to a diverse range of audiences of all ages. The new gallery has improved facilities and offers an even greater opportunity for contemporary art to be seen across Scotland."
Councillor Donald Anderson, Executive Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, the City of Edinburgh Council added:
"The unique appeal of this quirky and inclusive gallery is that it takes some of our finest art directly into communities around the country, encouraging people to engage with it on an immediate and personal level. The Council is delighted to have been involved in ensuring continues to do so for another 25 years, particularly since the new vehicle will open up the Travelling Gallery's programme to an even wider audience with further enhancements to its accessibility and by using new technology."
The new Travelling Gallery was made possible by a grant of £173,500 from the National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council awarded in October 2005. The City of Edinburgh Council, which has run the Travelling Gallery service since 1997, also awarded over £100,000 towards the project. Additional funding was granted by The friends of The City Art Centre and from the Adapt Trust.
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Media Contact:
Vicky Konieczny, Travelling Gallery Assistant
Phone: 0131 529 3930
Email: travgal@edinburgh.gov.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Travelling Gallery is a purpose built contemporary mobile art gallery that provides greater opportunity for communities throughout Scotland to experience the quality and diversity of contemporary art at first hand. The Travelling Gallery service was introduced in 1978 by the Scottish Arts Council. In 1997 its operation was switched to the City of Edinburgh Council, which continues to operate a national service.
2. The Travelling Gallery receives Foundation Funding status from the Scottish Arts Council of £140,000 per year. The City of Edinburgh Council support the running of the service in kind. Other income is generated through Hire Fees from other local authorities who book the Travelling Gallery to tour their areas.
3. The new vehicle was built on a Scania 12 metre Omni dekka chassis. The bodywork was built by East lancashire Coachbuilders in Blackburn and the interior was fitted out by WH Bence Coachworks in Yate near Bristol. The interior eas designed by Sutherland Hussey Architects. The exterior artwork was created by Glasgow based artist Mandy McIntosh.
4.The Travelling Gallery Education Programme received an engage Scotland Visual Art Educatin Award in 2003, 2004 and 2005. The programme aims to expand on ideas and skills highlighted in the Travelling Gallery exhibition,and includes education packs, reference materials, worksheets, ideas for pre-visit and follow-up work, as well as artist-led workshops.