Summit to transform Edinburgh’s cultural landscape with new venues to be held

A MAJOR summit aimed at transforming Edinburgh’s cultural landscape through the creation of world-class arts venues is to be held next month.

Venue managers, promoters and the leaders of the Capital’s main cultural institutions are to be encouraged to attend the one-day gathering focussed on kick-starting a series of projects to be delivered over the next decade or so.

An indoor concert arena, medium-sized classical concert hall, a film festival complex, contemporary art galleries and museums will all be discussed at the event, being instigated by the city council.

It will also look at possible projects to overhaul existing cultural venues – including several in the early stages of development – as the first phase of a long-term drive to avoid the city lagging international rivals.

The summit is being held months after Creative Scotland’s chief executive Andrew Dixon threw down the gauntlet to the city and said Edinburgh needed new theatre, music and dance spaces to accommodate growth in its festivals and year-round events programme.

News of the event emerged weeks after a revamp of the Queen’s Hall was sent back to the drawing board after being rejected for funding by the national quango.

Key projects which are likely to be on the agenda are a major indoor arena for the city, a new home for the Edinburgh 
International Film Festival, a revamped Ross Bandstand and encouraging major art projects on Leith Walk and the city’s waterfront promenade area.

Speakers at the event will include the council’s chief executive, Sue Bruce, city design guru Riccardo Marini and European cultural expert Pierluigi Sacco, a professor at IULM University in Milan.

Mr Lewis said: “You only have to look at other cities around the world to see the kind of major developments which are taking shape and it is important Edinburgh’s not left behind.

“This is very much about the longer-term, although it isn’t just about new buildings.

“It’s crucial for us to look to the future and the event is part of the city’s ongoing conversation about Edinburgh’s cultural infrastructure.

“Our commitment has already paid dividends in the shape of key developments, such as the Usher Hall, Assembly Rooms and King’s Theatre, and our co-operation on projects such as the Festival Theatre’s Potterrow development.

“We are extremely open-minded about the outcomes of the session and look forward to hearing views from a variety of different perspectives.”

Steve Cardownie, the council’s festivals and events champion, added: “I certainly don’t think Edinburgh is bereft of 
world-class cultural venues, bearing in mind improvements in recent years, but if there are gaps that can be identified then it’s right they should be examined.

“The one project which we’d like to progress is an indoor arena capable of housing up to 10,000 people.”