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{{Short description|Multi-arts complex and events venue in Edinburgh, Scotland}} |
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[[File:Summerhall arts hub.JPG|thumb |
[[File:Summerhall arts hub.JPG|thumb|right|upright=1.5|Summerhall arts hub, 2013]] |
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'''Summerhall''' is |
'''Summerhall''' is an arts complex and events venue in [[Edinburgh, Scotland]]. Formerly home to the [[Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies]] of the [[University of Edinburgh]], it is now a major [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe]] visual and performing arts venue. It also hosts events for the [[Edinburgh Science Festival]] and Edinburgh International Magic Festival and provides a home for arts practitioners year round; its many rooms are used for art exhibitions, drama and music performances, libraries, small museums, educational & research programmes, artist studios, arts organisation offices, and workshops.<ref name=EdGuide/> |
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It also hosts events for the [[Edinburgh Science Festival]] and Edinburgh International Magic Festival and others, and provides a home for arts practitioners year round. Its over 600 rooms are used for art exhibitions, libraries, small museums, educational and research programmes, artist studios, offices, labs and workshops. About 400 people work there of which 100 are engaged in arts programming and related activities, growing to 300 during the festival in August. It receives annually three quarters of a million visitors and co-produces and hosts over 1,300 shows and events. There are eight theatres and over twenty exhibition spaces, and more than this during the festival. The complex has about 600 rooms. One third are occupied by arts and technology tenants. Two thirds are for arts activities and support functions. There is a gastro-pub bar and café.<ref name=EdGuide/> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Early records show the Summerhall site |
Early records show the Summerhall site being used by a family run brewery, which was established in the 1710s. All that remains of this brewery are a well and stone rubble sandstone boundary wall. Terraced houses and shops occupied the site for many years, until they made way for the purpose-built [[Royal (Dick) Veterinary College]], when it moved from Clyde Street in the north of the city.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=A Brief History of Summerhall |url=https://www.summerhall.co.uk/about/a-brief-history-of-summerhall/ |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=Summerhall, Edinburgh |language=en-GB}}</ref> |
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Building the college at Summerhall began in 1913. It was the third home for the UK's second oldest veterinary school (1823) named in the 1860s after its founder Professor William Dick in response to nearby [[New Veterinary College]]. Dick was a former student of the anatomist John Barclay of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. On 21 July 1914, a memorial stone and time capsule were laid underneath the grand entrance steps. Work slowed on the outbreak of the [[First World War]], due to a lack of labour as young men joined the [[armed forces]]. The veterinary college moved to the site in 1916,<ref name=Warwick/> and the college was based in the main building and wings to the rear courtyard.<ref name=BriefHistory/> The Anatomy Lecture Theatre, still extant, has wooden, curved, tiered seating and vaulted sky light. It is the last surviving example of this type of lecture theatre at veterinary colleges in the United Kingdom.<ref name=BriefHistory/> Elsewhere on Summerhall's site, "TechCube" is a seven storey 1960s block of offices and laboratories at the corner of Summerhall Crescent and Hope Park Terrace. It replaced the Hope Park United Presbyterian Church designed by Edinburgh architects [[Peddie and Mackay]]. The church opened for worship in September 1867, and its spire could be seen from a large distance, the height of which dictated the height of the veterinary school's tower block that replaced it. The Hope Park Church Galleries were originally the Hope Park and Buccleuch Congregational Church, built in 1876, originally designed to seat 730.<ref name=BriefHistory/> |
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Building on the college began in 1913, and on 21 July 1914, a memorial stone and time capsule were laid underneath the grand entrance steps. Work ceased on the outbreak of the [[First World War]], due to a lack of labour as young men joined the [[armed forces]]. The veterinary college moved to the site in 1916,<ref name=Warwick/> and the college was based in the main building and wings to the rear courtyard. The 11-bay [[Edwardian Baroque]] structure, facing [[The Meadows, Edinburgh|the Meadows]], is [[Category B listed building|Category B Listed Building.]]<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, Summerhall, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Edinburgh |url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/200395958-royal-dick-veterinary-college-summerhall-edinburgh-edinburgh |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk}}</ref> |
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The college became a full faculty of the [[University of Edinburgh]] in 1964, and continues as that in the 21st century at its new campus (Europe's largest veterinary campus) at Easter Bush to the southwest of the city. The vets vacated Summerhall in 2011 when it was acquired by the McDowell family with the deal finalized at precisely 11 minutes past 11 o'clock on the 11th day of the 11th month of the 11th year with 2 minutes silence in memory of war dead. |
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The Anatomy Lecture Theatre, still extant, has wooden, curved, tiered seating and vaulted sky light. It is the last surviving example of this type of lecture theatre at veterinary colleges in the United Kingdom.{{fact|date=May 2024}} |
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The Demarco European Art Foundation occupies the southern wing of the main building. Summerhall's first Edinburgh Festival programme was in August 2011. In 2012, Summerhall opened fully to the public to provide festival arts all year round. Summerhall and its programmes have gained over one hundred critical prizes and awards in its first five years and been featured in BBC and other television and radio channels and has its own online Summerhall.tv. A dozen films have been shot on site. Summerhall attracts about 500 media reviews annually. |
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Elsewhere on the site, the space known as the "Tech Cube", at the corner of Summerhall Crescent and Hope Park Terrace, was originally the Hope Park United Presbyterian Church designed by famous Edinburgh architects [[Peddie and Mackay]]. It opened for worship in September 1867, and its spire could be seen from a large distance. The Hope Park Church Galleries were originally the Hope Park and Buccleuch Congregational Church, built in 1876 and designed to seat 730.<ref name=":0" /> |
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About half of all shows and artists are from outside Scotland and at least half from outside UK, many from the contemporary world's trouble-spots and war zones including journalists, photographers, film-makers, visual artists, dancers, musicians, singers and theatre companies. Each Summerhall festival has artists from 30-40 countries. |
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The veterinary college became a full faculty of the [[University of Edinburgh]] in 1964, and the school continued on the site until 2010, when the Royal Dick relocated to a new campus at Easter Bush in the south of the city.{{fact|date=May 2024}} |
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As well as operating as an arts centre, the building houses many artists, technologists and other creative enterprises including a microbrewery (Barney's Beer) and gin distillery (Pickerings).<ref name=BriefHistory/> In its first five years thousands of artists have shown and performed at Summerhall in all art forms. |
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In November 2011, the former college buildings were acquired by the McDowell family, and developed under the direction of Robert McDowell as a multi-arts, and arts-related organisation and business, centre. Robert McDowell is thought to have spent more than £20m supporting the venue in the first 12 years of ownership.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Carrell |first=Severin |last2= |first2= |date=2024-07-30 |title=Edinburgh’s Summerhall arts venue saved after owners grant new lease |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jul/30/edinburghs-summerhall-arts-venue-saved-after-owners-grant-new-lease |access-date=2024-11-24 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The Summerhall arts complex includes a bar and restaurant (The Royal Dick), a microbrewery (Barney's Beer) and the Pickering Gin distillery.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-19 |title=The Royal Dick, Summerhall – A royal tragedy if this is sold |url=https://edinburghpubreviews.substack.com/p/royal-dick-summerhall?utm_source=publication-search |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Edinburgh Pub Reviews}}</ref> Reputedly the biggest private art centre in Europe,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ferguson |first=Brian |date=31 October 2023 |title=New theatre, film, music and art to be championed under Edinburgh arts venue shake-up |url=https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/new-theatre-film-music-and-art-to-be-championed-under-edinburgh-arts-venue-shake-up-4391322 |work=The Scotsman}}</ref> it became major venue, each August, for the [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe|Edinburgh Fringe]], and achieved a footfall of over 1 million visitors a year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Linklater |first=Magnus |date=2024-05-15 |title=Robert McDowell: People say the festival is too big. I think it could be bigger |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/robert-mcdowell-people-say-the-festival-is-too-big-i-think-it-could-be-bigger-qz6nlpq2d |access-date=2024-05-15 |language=en |issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=EdFringe venue Summerhall goes on the market |url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/edfringe-venue-summerhall-goes-on-the-market |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=The Stage |language=En}}</ref> |
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On 14 May 2024, the owners announced their intention to place the 130,00 sq ft complex, with leases intact for over 100 artists, small businesses and companies, on the open market.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-15 |title=Fears for Summerhall as Edinburgh Fringe venue listed for sale |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv2x2vl7qgpo |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> On 30 July 2024, selling agents Cuthbert White announced that there was the prospect of Scots Arts (previously Edinburgh Palette) agreeing to manage the venue on a new three year lease. It said that the deal would allow a new charity, Summerhall Arts, "the opportunity to keep the legacy alive and give them the time needed to secure a much longer future with any prospective new owners.”<ref name=":1" /> In November 2024, with negotiations with Scots Arts ongoing, some artists who had performed at the venue at that year's [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe|Edinburgh Fringe]] claimed not to have been paid by the venue. Robert McDowell reported that his company, Summerhall Management Ltd., had had its accounts frozen by [[HM Revenue and Customs|HMRC]] in a dispute over corporation tax.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Healy |first=Rachael |date=2024-11-02 |title=Edinburgh fringe artists owed up to £15k each amid venue’s dispute with HMRC |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/nov/02/edinburgh-fringe-artists-owed-up-to-16k-each-amid-venues-dispute-with-hmrc |access-date=2024-11-24 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}}</ref> Also in November, the running of The Royal Dick bar was temporarily taken over by Barney's Beer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-13 |title=Cask and Barrel, Broughton – The people's pub review. Section: The chaser |url=https://edinburghpubreviews.substack.com/p/cask-and-barrel-broughton-repost?open=false#%C2%A7the-chaser-spoons-barneys-porty |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Edinburgh Pub Reviews}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist|refs= |
{{reflist|30em|refs= |
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<ref name=BriefHistory>{{cite web |url=https://www.summerhall.co.uk/about/a-brief-history-of-summerhall/ |title=A Brief History of Summerhall |publisher=Summerhall |accessdate=2019-01-13 }}</ref> |
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<ref name=EdGuide>{{cite web|url=http://www.edinburghguide.com/venue/summerhall|publisher=Edinburgh Guide|title=Summerhall|accessdate=18 March 2016}}</ref> |
<ref name=EdGuide> |
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{{cite web|url=http://www.edinburghguide.com/venue/summerhall|publisher=[[Edinburgh Guide]]|title=Summerhall|accessdate=18 March 2016}} |
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</ref> |
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<ref name=Warwick> |
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</ref> |
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}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.summerhall.co.uk/ Summerhall website] |
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{{Edinburgh Festival Fringe}} |
{{Edinburgh Festival Fringe}} |
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{{Culture and leisure facilities in Edinburgh}} |
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{{coord|55.9399|-3.1822|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Edinburgh]] |
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[[Category:Arts in Edinburgh]] |
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Latest revision as of 13:36, 25 November 2024
Summerhall is an arts complex and events venue in Edinburgh, Scotland. Formerly home to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies of the University of Edinburgh, it is now a major Edinburgh Festival Fringe visual and performing arts venue. It also hosts events for the Edinburgh Science Festival and Edinburgh International Magic Festival and provides a home for arts practitioners year round; its many rooms are used for art exhibitions, drama and music performances, libraries, small museums, educational & research programmes, artist studios, arts organisation offices, and workshops.[1]
History
[edit]Early records show the Summerhall site being used by a family run brewery, which was established in the 1710s. All that remains of this brewery are a well and stone rubble sandstone boundary wall. Terraced houses and shops occupied the site for many years, until they made way for the purpose-built Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, when it moved from Clyde Street in the north of the city.[2]
Building on the college began in 1913, and on 21 July 1914, a memorial stone and time capsule were laid underneath the grand entrance steps. Work ceased on the outbreak of the First World War, due to a lack of labour as young men joined the armed forces. The veterinary college moved to the site in 1916,[3] and the college was based in the main building and wings to the rear courtyard. The 11-bay Edwardian Baroque structure, facing the Meadows, is Category B Listed Building.[4]
The Anatomy Lecture Theatre, still extant, has wooden, curved, tiered seating and vaulted sky light. It is the last surviving example of this type of lecture theatre at veterinary colleges in the United Kingdom.[citation needed]
Elsewhere on the site, the space known as the "Tech Cube", at the corner of Summerhall Crescent and Hope Park Terrace, was originally the Hope Park United Presbyterian Church designed by famous Edinburgh architects Peddie and Mackay. It opened for worship in September 1867, and its spire could be seen from a large distance. The Hope Park Church Galleries were originally the Hope Park and Buccleuch Congregational Church, built in 1876 and designed to seat 730.[2]
The veterinary college became a full faculty of the University of Edinburgh in 1964, and the school continued on the site until 2010, when the Royal Dick relocated to a new campus at Easter Bush in the south of the city.[citation needed]
In November 2011, the former college buildings were acquired by the McDowell family, and developed under the direction of Robert McDowell as a multi-arts, and arts-related organisation and business, centre. Robert McDowell is thought to have spent more than £20m supporting the venue in the first 12 years of ownership.[5] The Summerhall arts complex includes a bar and restaurant (The Royal Dick), a microbrewery (Barney's Beer) and the Pickering Gin distillery.[6] Reputedly the biggest private art centre in Europe,[7] it became major venue, each August, for the Edinburgh Fringe, and achieved a footfall of over 1 million visitors a year.[8][9]
On 14 May 2024, the owners announced their intention to place the 130,00 sq ft complex, with leases intact for over 100 artists, small businesses and companies, on the open market.[10] On 30 July 2024, selling agents Cuthbert White announced that there was the prospect of Scots Arts (previously Edinburgh Palette) agreeing to manage the venue on a new three year lease. It said that the deal would allow a new charity, Summerhall Arts, "the opportunity to keep the legacy alive and give them the time needed to secure a much longer future with any prospective new owners.”[5] In November 2024, with negotiations with Scots Arts ongoing, some artists who had performed at the venue at that year's Edinburgh Fringe claimed not to have been paid by the venue. Robert McDowell reported that his company, Summerhall Management Ltd., had had its accounts frozen by HMRC in a dispute over corporation tax.[11] Also in November, the running of The Royal Dick bar was temporarily taken over by Barney's Beer.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ "Summerhall". Edinburgh Guide. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
- ^ a b "A Brief History of Summerhall". Summerhall, Edinburgh. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ Warwick, C.M. and Macdonald, A.A. 2010. The Life of Professor Orlando Charnock Bradley, (1871-1937): diary entries 1895-1923. Veterinary History, 15, 205-220. (http://www.era.lib.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/3643)
- ^ "Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, Summerhall, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Edinburgh". britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ a b Carrell, Severin (30 July 2024). "Edinburgh's Summerhall arts venue saved after owners grant new lease". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ "The Royal Dick, Summerhall – A royal tragedy if this is sold". Edinburgh Pub Reviews. 19 June 2024. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ Ferguson, Brian (31 October 2023). "New theatre, film, music and art to be championed under Edinburgh arts venue shake-up". The Scotsman.
- ^ Linklater, Magnus (15 May 2024). "Robert McDowell: People say the festival is too big. I think it could be bigger". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ "EdFringe venue Summerhall goes on the market". The Stage. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ "Fears for Summerhall as Edinburgh Fringe venue listed for sale". BBC News. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ Healy, Rachael (2 November 2024). "Edinburgh fringe artists owed up to £15k each amid venue's dispute with HMRC". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ "Cask and Barrel, Broughton – The people's pub review. Section: The chaser". Edinburgh Pub Reviews. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
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