Out of the Blue Arts & Education Trust

Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust is based in the Out of the Blue Drill Hall in Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh.

Our vision is that Edinburgh becomes a creative, participative city in which everyone is able to access the spaces and resources they require to pursue their own creativity, no matter who they are and what form it may take.

Our mission is to provide affordable and appropriate spaces, resources, projects and opportunities for the residents of Edinburgh to be creative.

Out of the Blue has established a reputation as an independent, dynamic and innovative cultural social enterprise. Out of the Blue is one of Scotland’s leading community, cultural and arts development organisations working in partnership to provide economic, cultural, social and educational opportunities, to a significant number of people to make a real difference to their lives.

Company Limited by Guarantee with Charitable Status with 2 wholly owned subsidiary Limited Companies.

1,042,510 pounds sterling (79%)

The Out of the Blue Drill Hall- a 30,000 square foot ex-army drill hall restored and refurbished as a multimedia arts space.

Out of the Blue formed in 1994 in the Old Town, moving to an ex bus garage in New Street in 1996, (Bongo Club formed). OOTB purchased the Drill Hall in 2003. Bongo Club moved to Edinburgh University in 2003, and to beneath the Central Library in 2012. Out of the Blue Drill Hall cafe formed in 2007.

Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee with charitable status with two trading subsidiaries, The Bongo Club Ltd and Out of the Blue Productions. 10 Directors on each board.

Projects with the community have included the launch of the Friends of Dalmeny Street Park and a community development project to refurbish the local park. #artcore, a youth arts production and platform which has involved over 1000 young people across the city. Annual participation in Leith Festival and Edinburgh festival showcasing the work of drama groups, visual artists, radio productions and exhibitions. Annual collaboration with ‘Leith Late’. The OOTB cafe and artcore training project engages young people from the community. Two Heritage social history projects (Gretna 100 and Leith Moves working with local people in research, visual arts, theatre and film.

Out of the Blue works closely with the City of Edinburgh Council to provide space within the city for artists and creative industry organisations and to support economic, cultural, educational policy. Work in partnership with many voluntary sector organisations to provide training opportunities for young people and people with mental health challenges. member of Development Trust Association Scotland. Provide expertise to organisations from throughout the world on asset based community development and social enterprise. Connected to Scottish Social Enterprise networks.

The Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh EH5 8RG, The Bongo Club beneath the Edinburgh Central Library, Music studios and 3 other studio spaces in Leith and Craigmillar/Duddingston. Accommodating cafe, over 200 artists in studios, workshop and class spaces, exhibition and events space

Partnership working with local, national and international partners for events and projects. Projects build community through renovation of facilities (local park) providing training which leads to employment in the Drill Hall cafe and amongst the creative industries. Out of the Blueprint- Social enterprise print service run by young people.

Classes, projects integral to Leith, cafe and creative industry training and employment. Festival performances, projects with local schools , youth organisations, minority ethnic groups, people with disabilities. Community initiatives, markets, socials. Space for organisations to hire. Internal and external catering.

Accommodating a cafe, 200 artist studios, workshop and class spaces, exhibition and events space:

●The Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh EH5 8RG

●The Bongo Club beneath the Edinburgh Central Library

●Music studios and 3 other studio spaces in Leith and Craigmillar/Duddingston.

Since the need for a hub to support emerging artists was identified in 1994, OOTB have created spaces to have an impact on the quality of life for thousands of people each year.

In the last year OOTB have:

Expanded our training project to accommodate additional trainees and volunteers undertaking training in the OOTB Cafe and with #artcore

Established Out of the Blueprint as a burgeoning additional social enterprise print service for arts organisations and others. Negotiated a contract with the City of Edinburgh Council to establish significant studio workshop and educational space for those working in wood, textiles, ceramics and print.

Delivered the Heritage Lottery Fund supported Gretna 100 project through which many thousands more people now know of the Gretna rail tragedy,  it’s impact on the people of Leith and have a deeper understanding of  Leith’s heritage.

Established ‘Leith Moves’ as a new arts and education Heritage Lottery Fund supported partnership project investigating hidden moments in the social history of Leith Docks.

Hosted over 11,000 hours of classes, workshops, events and exhibitions utilising 4 public spaces with 100,000 visitors to the OOTB Drill Hall.

Attracted 67,000 customers to the OOTB Drill Hall cafe.

Since the need for a hub to support emerging artists was identified in 1994, OOTB have created spaces to have an impact on the quality of life for thousands of people each year.

In the last year OOTB have:

Expanded our training project to accommodate additional trainees and volunteers undertaking training in the OOTB Cafe and with #artcore

Established Out of the Blueprint as a burgeoning additional social enterprise print service for arts organisations and others. Negotiated a contract with the City of Edinburgh Council to establish significant studio workshop and educational space for those working in wood, textiles, ceramics and print.

Delivered the Heritage Lottery Fund supported Gretna 100 project through which many thousands more people now know of the Gretna rail tragedy,  it’s impact on the people of Leith and have a deeper understanding of  Leith’s heritage.

Established ‘Leith Moves’ as a new arts and education Heritage Lottery Fund supported partnership project investigating hidden moments in the social history of Leith Docks.

Hosted over 11,000 hours of classes, workshops, events and exhibitions utilising 4 public spaces with 100,000 visitors to the OOTB Drill Hall.

Attracted 67,000 customers to the OOTB Drill Hall cafe.

The current strategic priority for OOTB is to source and develop facilities in a property market which is returning to 1990’s level of value. Our analysis of the current Edinburgh arts scene is that there is increasing scarcity of space for participatory arts as more and more land and buildings is utilised for greater commercial reward. (eg, housing, hotels, retail)

As of the end of June 2016 our studio waiting list had 820 subscribers.

Gazumped by a private developer on a property to develop a Makers Space project where there is a dearth of space in Edinburgh and great demand. Gather more political public support to have a greater impact on what kind of city we want to live in.

See above- plus develop more community arts development projects for education and social change.