PLANS for a state of the art community space, research hub and art storage facility have been granted permission to go ahead by City of Edinburgh Council.
The National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) is looking to build the facility on a brownfield site in Granton, which it hopes will contribute to the regeneration of the area.
The building, set to be known as The Art Works, will house Scotland’s renowned art collection.
However, NGS bosses say they are aiming to make sure the building is dual-purpose – with spaces available for use by the local community and wider public.
A community studio, support space and further education rooms are also contained within the plans.
The Art Works will store more than 12,000 works of art which will be conserved and researched when they are not being displayed in the National Galleries.
It is also due to be built to Passivhaus standards with the aim of decarbonising the care of Scotland’s art collection.
Sir John Leighton, director-general of the National Galleries of Scotland, said: ‘We are delighted to have received planning permission for The Art Works.
“We are committed to continuing work with the Council and other strategic partners to play our part in shaping and informing the development of north Edinburgh.
“Our project has the potential to be a huge catalyst for change in the local community and at national levels.
“The Art Works will allow National Galleries of Scotland to share its collection much more effectively across the nation and to bring the benefits of art and culture to the widest possible audience.’ Formerly known as the National Collection Facility, plans for the building have been in development since 2015."
At present, the National Galleries of Scotland collection is stored across several sites where access and space are severely limited.
It is hoped the new building will address there issues and create further opportunities for research and allow more art works to be made available for display and loan.
