In recent years, Dundee has emerged as one of the country’s most exciting cities for arts and culture. A big contributing factor is the fantastic facilities available – including the renowned Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, the DCA and the jaw-dropping plans for the new V&A Museum. But it’s also down to the growing artist community in the city, not least the 60 artists and makers based at Wasps’ Meadow Mill Studios in Dundee. This month contractors started on site to give this building a much deserved £1.2 million facelift.

We currently lease three floors of Meadow Mill from Dundee Industrial Association in the Blackness area of Dundee. Before the redevelopment started there was no fixed heating so the studios were really cold in the winter. Studios were also located up three flights of stairs with no lift access and, generally, very poor disabled access throughout. In addition, some of the studios were constructed in a ramshackle way over the years so the spaces haven’t been organised in the best way.

We will dramatically improve the existing studios in the building, increase the lettable floor area by 50% to meet the high demand for studios in the city and create a high quality working environment that the artists can take pride in. Specifically the building will provide:

• 58 studios across three floors for up to 100 artists
• An open plan studio divided into smaller, more affordable bays for new graduates
• A new project space
• Greater circulation space, better natural light, fixed heating and enhanced signage
• A new lift and improved accessibility

To date, funding has been secured from Creative Scotland and the Scottish Investment Fund. We’re also targeting local charitable trusts. This project has now started on site and we are due to complete the redevelopment works in February 2012.