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[Jim Stax]

Originally Posted by Cloud

Unless it's subsidised to the hilt with public cash, which wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.

Just a little hint of a 'chip on shouder' there?


If anyone is interested in funding for venues and organisations and wishes to read some very interesting appraisals then you may want to dig into the Scottish Arts Council website. I, with my diplomatic and devils advocate hat on, am merely pointiing over the fence at something that was pointed out to me and could certainly raise a few questions... Nope I am not giving you any more than that just go do some detective work but dig deep!

[Metarie]

Aberdeen is chock full of similar venues though, they're always opening new cafes with added culture. How many places does a city like Aberdeen need so folk can drink coffee and listen to music? They might want to aim it at students and retired (or unemployed) musicians but how many of us actually spend a day hanging around in His Majesty's cafe, go to the Art Gallery's coffee shop or The Lemon Tree's Thursday Live? There simply isn't the market for it.
There seems to have been a real push to increase the cultural side of the city recently, I'm sure that although it's important, the council could be putting the money towards other things. Nice idea but Aberdeen is over saturated with similar venues already.

[Cloud]

Originally Posted by Twobackjoe

Just a little hint of a 'chip on shouder' there?

Yeah, I think so. I don't believe in the concept of commercial things being funded from the public purse, especially where it doesn't fill a gap in the market. It's been argued about to death, though.

It's definitely nice to see that it's a private venture - if it succeeds, I dare say there will be more opportunities for both the public and private sector of the arts.

If anyone is interested in funding for venues and organisations and wishes to read some very interesting appraisals then you may want to dig into the Scottish Arts Council website. I, with my diplomatic and devils advocate hat on, am merely pointiing over the fence at something that was pointed out to me and could certainly raise a few questions... Nope I am not giving you any more than that just go do some detective work but dig deep!

I'll take a look, I'm pretty interested in these things.

[Hogisbald]

Originally Posted by french_disko

They are keen to give musicians, who may not get the opportunity at other venues in the city, a chance to perform.

[/email]

Awesome! Might get a lunchtime Spike gig!

[Cloud]

Originally Posted by Hog

Awesome! Might get a lunchtime Spike gig!

"salad with your grind madam?"

[daveofficer]

Originally Posted by Twobackjoe

Just a little hint of a 'chip on shouder' there?


If anyone is interested in funding for venues and organisations and wishes to read some very interesting appraisals then you may want to dig into the Scottish Arts Council website. I, with my diplomatic and devils advocate hat on, am merely pointiing over the fence at something that was pointed out to me and could certainly raise a few questions... Nope I am not giving you any more than that just go do some detective work but dig deep!

holy shit. how can a group of 750 artists produce only 3 events in a year when they're funded to the tune of about 180k by the arts council, lottery and local council? that's astounding. and i'm sure there's worse.

yet the ury players in stonehaven have tried to get funding from the lottery etc before and been refused, despite them putting on a panto every year and a few other (award winning) plays which are much loved by the community. and that's on a shoestring budget.

[Jim Stax]

I'll urge you to look for the 'Aberdeen orgs' appraisals, very good and also very baaaaad.

[Flash@TMB]

I went, I searched, I surfed, I found nothing. I'm confused. Please could someone PM me a link?

But in advance of more information I would say that it sounds like a good thing, and it's nice to see an old building being resurrected.

[Spoonie]

Originally Posted by Flash@TMB

it's nice to see an old building being resurrected.

agreed and i was smiling when i heard it used to be a banana ripening warehouse. bet it's fucking crawling with deadly spiders tho. they thrive in the tropical temperature of aberdeen.

/x

Aberdeen City Heritage Trust breathes further life into Guild Street area

23 February 2006 11:05


Work has started on the renovation and conversion of a beautiful former chapel building in Exchange Street, Aberdeen (just off Guild Street) with assistance of Aberdeen City Heritage Trust - breathing new life into an historic part of Aberdeen.

Local company, Cultural Exchange (Aberdeen) Limited are establishing an innovative café/restaurant and arts venue - providing high quality food and drinks in a relaxed and atmospheric setting, with an upper floor dedicated to some of the most interesting and diverse art to be seen in the North-east.

The new venue will trade as MUSA Art and Music Cafe.

The building dates from December 1880 when it opened for use as a Catholic Apostolic Church. It is illustrated and described in historic church books held in the Aberdeen Central Library. It later became "Clapperton's Rooms".

More recently the building was used as a banana-ripening warehouse by a long established Aberdeen fruiterer.

Sadly the building has slowly deteriorated over the years, with roof, granite and windows in need of refurbishment; however it retains wonderful features in the coloured rose windows at each gable, large coloured dormer windows (sadly covered up for the last few decades) and ornate beams, finials and herringbone roof timbers.

When restored to its former glory, the building will represent an eye catching reminder of the areas history and make a statement to local residents and visitors alike of the continued regeneration of Aberdeen's historic areas and buildings.

Douglas Campbell, Project Officer for Aberdeen City Heritage Trust, said: "We are delighted to provide grant assistance towards the sympathetic restoration of this interesting former church building and to help bring it back into public use.

"The proposed development ensures that people will again be able to enjoy it's unique features and the lovely ambience of the interior. It is particularly pleasing to be involved in a project in the area between Guild Street and Union Street, an important historic part of Aberdeen which the Trust identified as one of its priority areas for investment."

Mike Richardson of Cultural Exchange (Aberdeen) Limited said: "The Trust and Council have been very supportive of our development and it is great to see the public and private sectors co-operate in bringing an exciting new business to this part of the city.

"We love this part of Aberdeen - with the dominant features of the Harbour, the mix of large office developments, beautiful architecture and historic old pubs and the hustle and bustle of the train and bus station.

"With the recent announcement of developments at Shiprow, the quality businesses that now occupy the Green and the potential for further major developments such as the Union Square shopping centre and the Tivoli - the area can develop into an exciting, bohemian area for great food, drinks, art and music that will rival anything to be found in other major cities in Scotland."

* Aberdeen City Heritage Trust was launched by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport in July 2004 and incorporated on 12 August 2004 as a company limited by guarantee. The Trust is funded by Aberdeen City Council and Historic Scotland and operates on a not for profit basis.

Grants are also available from the Trust for smaller scale historic repair and restoration where a building is a Listed Building or falls inside one of the City's 11 conservation areas. These could be residential properties or small businesses.

Aberdeen City Heritage Trust's vision is that Aberdeen's historic environment will be better understood, conserved, used and celebrated.