Did you know that the Craigmillar Community Art Centre wasn’t always an art centre? It has a rich history. The building now housing the Craigmillar Community Art Centre was once St Andrew’s Church. This significant building played a crucial role in the Craigmillar Festival Society’s story.
The Craigmillar Festival Society a pioneering community arts project began in the 1960s. It was founded by local women. They wanted to bring art to Craigmillar. A mother whose child was denied violin lessons inspired the project. This became a local legend. The Society quickly became internationally renowned. They used the arts to address social issues. The Society’s impact was huge. People from around the world came to Craigmillar to learn from their approach. They even inspired the founders of the Notting Hill Carnival.
In 1976 the Craigmillar Festival Society received a substantial grant. This was a massive £750,000 ‘Anti-Poverty’ grant from the European Union. This allowed them to grow significantly. They hired more staff becoming the largest employer in the area. The Society acquired more premises including St Andrew’s Church. They leased it from the Scottish Episcopal Church. They transformed it into an arts centre. They even created a darkroom there. Local photographers could develop their images. These images were then featured in The Craigmillar Chronicle a community-owned newspaper.
Today the Craigmillar Community Art Centre stands as a testament to that legacy. It’s a vibrant hub for the community. It’s a place where creativity flourishes. The Craigmillar Community Art Centre continues to foster the artistic spirit of Craigmillar. It honours the remarkable work of the Craigmillar Festival Society. It’s a place where the echoes of past creativity resonate in the present. This building is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a living legacy of community art. It’s a place where the past informs the present and inspires the future. It’s a story that continues to unfold within these very walls.