It has been quite the journey – more than five years in the making with a global pandemic to navigate along the way.
But I am, finally, eagerly anticipating the re-opening of the expanded North Edinburgh Arts (NEA) venue. Sited in the new MacMillan Hub, in North Edinburgh’s new MacMillan Square, the Hub is the bricks and mortar manifestation of a long-term and positive partnership between our community owned venue (NEA). The City of Edinburgh Council’s Library and Early Years services and Capital City Partnership’s Skills Hub are also a part of it.
We believe this new building is the first of its kind in Scotland co-locating a community owned venue, third sector services, and council provision, all working together for the benefit of local residents. NEA, and the MacMillan Hub will provide first class creative, learning, enterprise and meeting spaces. These will accommodate a wide ranging programme of events and activities, a social enterprise café, community garden, public library, dedicated skills hub, early learning and childcare centre for 185 children and social housing.
Pennywell Early Learning and Childcare Centre and North Edinburgh Arts on left at Macmillan Square. PHOTO Alan Simpson 
Pennywell Early Learning and Childcare Centre and North Edinburgh Arts on left at Macmillan Square. PHOTO Alan Simpson 
Pennywell Early Learning and Childcare Centre and North Edinburgh Arts on left at Macmillan Square. PHOTO Alan Simpson 
Pennywell Early Learning and Childcare Centre and North Edinburgh Arts on left at Macmillan Square. PHOTO Alan Simpson 
Pennywell Early Learning and Childcare Centre and North Edinburgh Arts on left. PHOTO Alan Simpson
AMBITIOUS PROJECT
As NEA enters into this new, community owned, chapter we are extremely grateful to the very many supporters of our ambitious capital project. Three quarters of our capital costs are in place, with plans for the remainder in train. This is no mean feat for a local organisation who faced closure 15 years ago! Our plans to be fit for purpose for the next generation of North Edinburgh residents have been realised.
When open the ‘new’ NEA will house a 96 seat theatre, a 72 seat café, six artist studios, five multi-use studios, a music studio, two wood workshops, four offices, a hot desk mezzanine, third floor greenhouse, and our half acre community garden.
NEA will be, once again, the place for local residents to meet, relax, learn, get creative, and support one another. Our third of this amazing building is in the ownership of the people that use it, for the long term.
NEA is a Charity run by a dedicated team working with freelance artists, valued volunteers, and partner organisations. The body is overseen and supported by a Board of Directors, the majority of whom, like myself, live locally.
We look forward to seeing you at NEA in the autumn.
For further information, to become a member, or sign up to our newsletter, go to www.northedinburgharts.co.uk
Lesley Hinds is Chair of the NEA Board.
