Inverness Creative Academy
Wasps acquired the Category B Listed Victorian Midmills buildings in the centre of Inverness in 2018, which had been vacant for three years.
The project is delivered in two phases. Phase 1, the ‘artists and makers’ wing, was completed in November 2018. Phase 2 provides the ‘creative industries’ wing, due to be completed in 2021.
Work is now currently underway on the final phase of the project. To see the progress so far and for more information please click here.
32 artist spaces
54 creative offices
meeting rooms
exhibition spaces
disabled access
event hire
Phase 1 – ‘artists and makers’ wing:
The first phase of the building returned the 1913 Arts & Science Extension to use as the ‘artists and makers’ wing, providing 32 artist’s studios, a community-run photography darkroom, a designated workshop space for classes and an events/exhibition space in the refurbished Gym Hall. This building is now fully let to over 30 Highlands based artists and creatives. For more information about exhibitions and events coming up in the Gym Hall and other Wasps venues visit the arts page here.
“Inverness badly needed this creative space, and it couldn’t be better placed here at the Midmills building. My early art college years were spent in this building…it‘s great to see that it retains a lot of its original features and character.” – Sharon Scobbie, artist tenant at Inverness Creative Academy
Phase 2 – ‘creative industries’ wing:
Phase 2 of Inverness Creative Academy is now on site. Wasps is fundraising for the final phase which will restore the original 1895 Academy building. This stage will complete Wasps’ vision to deliver a vibrant creative destination to serve the whole of the Highlands. We have secured most of the money to complete our Midmills transformation, but still have funds to raise to reach our overall target
Phase 2 will provide:
• 54 workspaces for creative industries and cultural social enterprises including long term office space
• Flexible co-working spaces for 26 creatives
• Public exhibition, events and workshop spaces on two levels overlooking the hall
• Fully accessible meeting rooms and facilities for hire
• Public café within the restored, double height, former Assembly Hall
If you’re interested in finding out more about Inverness Creative Academy, applying for a studio, or registering your interest for a space in Phase 2, please go to invernesscreativeacademy.org.uk
Supported By
being a wasps tenant
With over 40 years worth of expertise, we are the UK’s largest provider of affordable studio space for artists and creative industries.
Tenants of the Wasps community receive the following benefits:
- Affordable studio prices with no hidden costs – utilities and Wifi are all inclusive in artist studios (rates apply for creative offices)
- Building security – all our buildings are either owned or on long term rentals
- 24/7 secure access all year round
- Part of our community of almost 1,000 artists and creatives in our 20 buildings across Scotland
- Exhibiting and selling opportunities through our Arts & Enterprise programme including:
- Exhibitions – over 50% of artists exhibited in our gallery programmes are tenants
- Makers Markets
- South Block shop
- Open Studios
- Art Fairs
- Ability to join our Own Art scheme
- Support and expertise from Wasps’ staff team
- Promotion on our website with an artist profile
