Creative professionals in Kirkcaldy and beyond can thrive as never before, say the team launching a new Design Suite at the revitalised Adam Smith Theatre.
Creatives from all backgrounds, from novices to seasoned professionals, are set to benefit from state-of-the-art facilities soon to be introduced at the revamped venue.
The innovative space promises to foster ingenuity, artistic expression, and entrepreneurial spirit, inviting designers, artists, illustrators, filmmakers and animators to tap into this new catalyst for creativity.
The Design Suite is a key strand in the £7.8million project that has turned a traditional civic theatre into a modern creative hub.
Cultural charity OnFife, which runs the venue, is keen to make it more than just a theatre – so the new-look interior has spaces for community use as well as the Design Suite.
The suite has been developed to engage, inspire and support people of all ages. It will enable them to access digital design tools and will have a strong emphasis on co-working spaces.
Kirkcaldy’s most celebrated son – the renowned philosopher from whom the theatre takes its name – would surely have approved, says OnFife’s Creative Instigator Ross Christie.
“Kirkcaldy’s creative community is vibrant, diverse and innovative,” says Ross, “and a vital part of this is to encourage and support start-up businesses and creative entrepreneurship.”
The great economic thinker – who once reasoned that ‘everyone lives by exchanging’ – would also have warmed to the Design Suite’s collaborative ethos.
“So many creative practitioners work in isolation at home, or commute,” says Ross. “This is a chance to build community, to share insights and develop relationships.”
“The new suite can help us build on strong foundations and create a place where people can learn new skills, share ideas and make connections.”
The Design Suite offers a range of working areas, including fully equipped creative workstations and flexible spaces where users can bring their own laptops.
There are also meeting areas, relaxed working zones and a dedicated edit suite for anyone who needs peace and privacy to work on audiovisual projects. All the suite’s computers include the latest design software and tools.
The suite can also provide access to a 3D printer, laser cutter and Virtual Reality goggles. Also part of the mix are iPad Pros as well as spatial mapping and 3D scanning tools.
Workspaces will be bookable for full day slots, with a sliding-scale pricing model that is designed to make the service accessible to a broad range of users.
“We’ll be running a series of workshops from October to introduce innovative design tools,” says Ross. “And there will be free drop-in sessions to inspire the next generation of local creative talent.”
To help create a bright, colourful creative space, OnFife has commissioned local designer Lauren Morsley to produce a striking large-scale mural in the suite.
Illustrator and printmaker Lauren studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee before returning to her childhood home of Kirkcaldy.
“Lauren has fond memories of the Adam Smith Theatre from growing up here,” says Ross. “Fusing that local knowledge with a bright, graphic style makes Lauren the perfect fit for this commission.”
Lauren will be putting the finishing touches on her mural during the design suite’s soft launch, from 11-16 September. The finished work will be unveiled when the venue opens on Friday, 23 September.
Check the website or email designsuite@onfife.com for more information.
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For further information contact Sheona Small, press officer, 07809 727 989 or email sheona.small@onfife.com
Notes to editors: OnFife is a registered charity and manages and operates theatres, libraries, museums and galleries and cultural partnerships on behalf of Fife Council for people living, working and visiting Fife. Further information can be found at www.onfife.com
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