National arts charity celebrates new Perth studios as work begins in Inverness

The construction of a £5.7 million project to create a vibrant home for creative industries in the Highlands got under way this month.Work on the £3.5m Phase 2 of Inverness Creative Academy comes as artists prepare to move into the £4.5m Perth Creative Exchange ahead of its official opening in February.Both projects involve the regeneration of former schools by Wasps (Workshop and Artists Studio Provision (Scotland) Limited), bringing new creative life to the heart of two Scottish cities.The Perth Creative Exchange development has involved the transformation of the 1930s St John’s Primary School building, in Stormont Street, to provide 26 studio spaces, 13 creative industry spaces plus many other support facilities.The project marks a key moment in the expansion of Wasps – a national charity and social enterprise which expects to be providing high-quality affordable studios and workspaces for over 1,000 tenants across Scotland by the end of 2020.The facility, a partnership with Perth & Kinross Council, will support the area’s economy – enabling artists and makers to build up their businesses in a sector where earning a living can be tough.In addition to studios, Perth Creative Exchange will provide 13 workspaces for creative businesses, a teaching space, hot-desking area and meeting rooms plus a public café, gallery and project space. It is also home to The Famous Grouse Ideas Centre which is dedicated to incubating creative businesses.It is hoped Perth Creative Exchange will provide the right infrastructure and support to keep creative people in the area – including University of the Highlands and Islands graduates who often leave the area after completing their course in Perth because of the lack of suitable facilities and employment opportunities.