Project Overview
The development of an Innovation Lab was identified early on as one of the 8th City projects in Perth. This became a £625,000 project for Perth & Kinross Council (PKC) – of which £250,000 is ERDF and £100,000 allocated via the SCA Cities Investment Fund. Nested within the Perth Creative Exchange, and branded as the Famous Grouse Ideas Centre (FGIC), this facility was formally opened on 26th February 2020.
Creative Exchange is a £4.5 million creative hub which will help boost the local Perthshire arts economy and was developed as a partnership project between Perth and Kinross Council and WASPS (Scotland’s largest provider of creative studios space) and other stakeholders.
The FGIC occupies 150m² of space within Creative Exchange and aims to make a positive economic, social and cultural impact not only in Perth but across the Tay Cities Region.
Why is it needed?
There are around 1,500 creative industries in Perth and Kinross, many of which are small scale but with huge potential to grow. A key aim for FGIC is to support creative business incubation, development and growth. This will be achieved through an innovative suite of dedicated support programmes. These have been developed by creatives for creatives with an emphasis on innovation.
The FGIC will also see enterprises, projects and individuals working to find solutions to commercial and civic challenges.
Impact and Benefits.
The FGIC and Perth Creative Exchange is creating an environment which encourages creative and artistic growth, whilst retaining and attracting talent to Perth. Partnership working has delivered a space which supports the creative sector now and in years to come and will be a boost to the arts community in Perth and further afield. Perth Creative Exchange supports 66 FTE and generates wage earnings of almost £1 million pounds per annum across the local economy.
For more information contact Graham Pinfield, Smart Projects Officer, Perth & Kinross Council – gpinfield@pkc.gov.uk
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