Not too long ago a shudder of positive excitement ran through the cultural community of Aberdeen when the PVA proposed new arts centre was, remarkably, given approval by the local authority in a move that took many by surprise.   Understandably this quickly led to a feeling of optimism across the sector and, with seemingly brighter days ahead, we all thought and acted accordingly; new art projects and businesses came to the fore, young artists decided to stay in Aberdeen, dance and theatre improved their visibility and music promoters, buoyed by the idea of a new venue for live music, became excited by the acts that could be brought to this part of the country.

As promptly as our optimism arrived it all but left.   A disappointing reversion to type by the local authority led (again) to stalemate around a large and progressive capital project.  Indeed, one could be forgiven for suggesting this condition is ingrained and historically ritualistic within the authority at this end of the country.  The cultural sector’s hopes were stalled.

Moving forward a year or so and we view a cultural landscape that appears to be defying our justified concerns.  A mass exodus, or hibernation, of disillusioned creative talent has not taken place (as one could rightfully have expected) but rather we find ourselves in a steady period of growth.  A period that sees the arts sector build, albeit under a corporate shadow, momentum toward realising the vision of becoming a significant and worthy contributor to the national and international art world.

Like a music scene, an arts sector does not filter up and out through just one channel or venue, and nor should it.  No one place, project or concept can lay claim to making things better, a collective sensibility that takes strength from within does that job, and that’s the juncture we’re at right now.

The proposal by Peacock Visual Arts to build an outstanding, and much desired, centre for contemporary arts and culture certainly played a vital and healthy role in galvanising the sector into believing itself worthy and we must do everything possible to ensure this building, or an appropriate equivalent, happens.   Aberdeen needs a hub that will encourage a sense of infrastructure and ‘the new centre’ is the likely candidate for this role.   The thought that we may be deprived of this idea/ideal through the whim of a businessman’s ill-placed concept has developed a fighting spirit in the arts resulting in what I see as a progressive, and somewhat ironic given the circumstances, growth of the sector.  One could suggest that there is a large subconscious ‘f**k you’ being aimed up and out at the business world.

There is much work to be done but I can attest to the aforementioned progress, and take heart from my email activity that on a daily, often hourly, basis accepts invites to numerous art openings, notifications of networking events and workshops, marketing for dance, theatre events and gigs, numerous blogs that can be read and digested at leisure and e-promotion of a new arts-based business or space starting out on a new and precarious venture.

Historically art has spurts of growth and change, at a conceptual and physical level, when it circles the wagons and rallies toward or away from a specific purpose, thus we find ourselves in the midst of our own geographical cultural revolt.

Regardless of Union Terrace Gardens, and the broader outcome of the campaign, Aberdeen is absolutely more than capable of maintaining a momentum of growth across the arts and cultural sector in order to attain deserved recognition of its talent..

The questions to be asked are:

Will the desire and energy remain in place if the carpet is seen to be pulled from beneath by the hands of the self-titled ‘City Fathers’?

Can (with or without the proposed new art centre) the Aberdeen creative sector believe enough in itself to rise above this and become a recognised city of cultural vibrancy and excellence?

Or is this is one ask too far?

A Trump spokesperson gets flustered over actress Tilda Swinton’s support of protest group Tripping Up Trump : Press & Journal Scotsman

… and Sir Ian Wood’s daft ‘civic square’ plan is ready for the ‘public consultation’ phase: BBC.  However, the P&J’s article highlights the mess the scheme’s steering group is becoming.  Oh dear.

So, Peacock Visual Arts‘ original plans risk being ignored completely it would appear.  Help them by signing up to the I Heart UTG petition here

See the ‘Twitter Updates’ bit on the right-hand side of the site? It’s actually going to be a really good little source for the very latest news and updates about things happening round town and is worth keeping an eye on.

Perfect if you’re too scared/cool/busy to dip your toe into the Twitter waters yourself…

PS If you are part of the strange, murky world of Twitter however, we’re here: thekiosque on twitter