In its new report the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) has confirmed it contributed £253 million to the Scottish economy through tourism, jobs and cultural activity in the financial year 2024/25.
NGS has unveiled the figures in a new report by BiGGAR Economics and has also announced its new strategy which will commit the galleries to children and young people.
This document outlines the steps to transform access to the collection as 2050 approaches. The ambition is to make the national collection accessible to all, and in particular to grow the number of young people under 26 who visit by 9%.
There are three strands to that work:
- Free entry to ticketed exhibitions for children and young people under 18, kicking off with Gwen John: Strange Beauties and Catherine Opie: To Be Seen. The rest of the galleries are already free to come and enjoy, ensuring cost is not a barrier to participation
- A revised schools offer to connect more learners with the collection
- Strengthening the families programme to support early engagement
As a central part of the strategy NGS is progressing The Art Works project in Granton. This is a major project to build a new home in north Edinburgh where there will be more than 130,000 artworks. This will make it easier to loan out some of the art works to local galleries, and will use more of the art which would otherwise remain in storage.
The Scottish Government has committed £56 million over three years to the project. The building is being trailed as incredible and the delivery of the new project will mean other parts of NGS work will be scaled back for a time. For example the annual summer exhibition in the Royal Scottish Academy building will be held every two years for now. And after delivering the Art Works NGS will develop its next capital project to renovate the Mound level galleries at the National.
Anne Lyden, Director-General at the National Galleries of Scotland, said: “Art matters because it has the power to change lives. Our new strategy sets out how we will increase access to Scotland’s national art collection over the next four years so that more people, and particularly children and young people, can enjoy the benefits art brings.
“These are our first steps towards 2050. By focusing on children and young people, removing barriers and investing in the future, we can ensure that art continues to enrich lives across Scotland. The impact of art goes far beyond the gallery walls, it supports mental and physical health, fosters connection and contributes to public wellbeing. Art matters for us to have a healthy and thriving society.
“Our priority is the creation and opening of The Art Works building. This vital investment will enable everything that follows. It is the foundation for how we will care for the collection, expand access and share Scotland’s art for generations to come.”
The strategy is underpinned by growing evidence of the powerful role art plays in supporting health and wellbeing. Around 84% of visitors to NGS report that their visit has a positive impact on their wellbeing. This aligns with emerging global research, including a recent study from University College London showing that regular engagement with arts and culture can have measurable biological benefits. In 2024/25, the health and wellbeing benefits generated by the National Galleries of Scotland were valued at £31.8million, according to the report.
Art Matters represents a significant milestone in a longer journey for the National Galleries of Scotland. It lays the groundwork for a future where every child and young person in Scotland can build a meaningful relationship with their national art collection. By investing in access, participation and infrastructure now, the National Galleries of Scotland is positioning itself to deliver lasting cultural, social and wellbeing impact for decades to come.
To find out more, visit Plans and policies | National Galleries of Scotland.
NGS has three galleries – the National, the Modern and the Portrait.
