Inverness Creative Academy last week hosted a visit from local MSP Emma Roddick, as part of their ongoing work to connect the artist community with Scotland’s decision makers.
Run by Wasps (Scotland’s largest provider of affordable studio space for artists and creative industries), Inverness Creative Academy has become the Highlands’ first major creative hub, transforming the city’s former Inverness Royal Academy buildings into a thriving space for artists, makers, and creative entrepreneurs. Since opening in 2018, the Academy has provided vital studios, co-working spaces, and exhibition opportunities, supporting both emerging and established creatives while inviting the public to engage with the arts in new ways.
During her visit, the Wasps team showed Emma around the facility and introduced her to tenants including Alice Prentice of Isle of Riso – the first risography studio in the Scottish Highlands – and Iona Gibson of Highland Zine Bothy, a dedicated zine library serving the region. These projects highlight the Academy’s role in nurturing innovative and community-focused practices that expand access to contemporary art and publishing in the Highlands.
Speaking about her visit, Emma Roddick MSP said, “The vast creativity being housed here is incredible, and my team and I left very inspired to think about how best to support this work and get involved. This space has been so important for many artists, businesses, and visitors who can enjoy local art as part of their daily life.”
The visit was facilitated by SCAN (Scottish Contemporary Art Network), which connects parliamentarians with Scotland’s visual arts organisations through a programme of studio, gallery, and venue visits. By opening the doors of Inverness Creative Academy to political representatives, SCAN and Wasps aim to highlight the contribution that culture and creativity make to communities across the country.
In addition to artist studios, Inverness Creative Academy offers flexible spaces available to hire for meetings, events, and exhibitions. Businesses and creative professionals can also base themselves at the Academy by renting one of its modern office spaces, joining a vibrant community of innovation and collaboration at the heart of the Highlands.
📸 Photography by Alexander Williamson