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April 2005 | SNPC launch short film created by Ditte Solgaard
The Scottish National Photography Centre took a novel approach to celebrating the Official Opening of the new Scottish Parliament in October 2004. The Centre organised a photography competition for both professional, student and amateur photographers as well as the Civic Guests who were given disposable cameras courtesy of SNPC and Sony UK. The competition was judged by a panel including Sir Sean Connery, SNPC's Patron, and the Rt Honourable George Reid MSP, the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament. The resulting images formed SNPC's first public exhibition, which is being shown in Grand Central Station in New York during Tartan Week, before going to the G8 Summit in July and The Scottish Parliament in August.
This short film [click link to watch – requires Flash 6, to install please visit www.macromedia.com] was created by film maker Ditte Solgaard (using a VX2100E camcorder donated by Sony UK) and captures the spirit of this historic day and showcases a selection of the photographs submitted by photography enthusiasts from all walks of Scottish life.
February 2005 | SNPC Photo Competition Clicks With Parliament
SNPC and Sony UK's competition to capture the best images of the Official Opening of the new Scottish Parliament was not only a resounding success but will also see the resulting exhibition – the first to go public under the SNPC name – travel as far afield as New York in 2005.
Hundreds of entries from professional, amateur and Civic Guest photographers were judged by a panel including SNPC's Patron, Sir Sean Connery, the Presiding Officer, George Reid MSP and representatives of Sony UK. The winners attended an official presentation in Parliament to receive their prizes and certificates. The winners were:
Professional
Chris Furlong of Getty Images, whose photograph of the Queen won him £1000
Amateur/ Enthusiast
Chris Warren, who won a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F828 camera
Civic Guest
Phil Flanders of the Road Haulage Association, who won a Sony T3 Cybershot camera
Images anti clockwise from top: The Queen behind Scotland banner by Christopher Furlong, Getty Images; "Too Sexy for Westminster" by Philip Flanders; The Dawn of Holyrood by Chris Warren and photograph of the three winners holding their entries.
A contemporary and varied selection of the pictures recording the historic event and the history of the building itself will go on display in Holyrood and also travel to New York for Tartan Day, where it will go on show in Grand Central Station.
Scotland's First Minister, Jack McConnell MSP said: "These photographs capture enduring memories of a wonderful and historic event for our nation. The competition organised by the Scottish Parliament and SNPC has not only created an important record of the Opening Day for generations of Scots but also shows the wealth of Scottish photographic talent of which we can be proud."
Graeme Murdoch, Chief Executive of the SNPC, said: "Almost everyone has a camera and enjoys taking pictures. Collaborating with the Scottish Parliament on the opening of their new building at Holyrood gave us an opportunity to invite the people of Scotland to tell us, through photography, what they thought of this historic occasion."
Steve Dowdle, Managing Director, Sony UK Sales Company, commented: "This competition has been an ideal showcase for both the popularity and versatility of modern photography. The quality of the images shows just how far digital technology has come and Sony UK is pleased to support SNPC's continuing project to create a world-class resource for the art form in Edinburgh."
July 2004 | Sony United Kingdom Limited named as Founding Sponsor of Scottish National Photography Centre
Sony United Kingdom Limited (Sony UK) has announced a major development funding sponsorship with the Scottish National Photography Centre (SNPC), one of Scotland's most ambitious visual arts projects.
It is the largest sponsorship commitment ever undertaken by the consumer electronics company in Scotland and sees Sony UK become the Centre's founding corporate sponsor.
The company's early support of the project is a significant step forward for what will become the country's largest international photography resource and also a welcome boost for the Scottish arts in general.
SNPC will use the significant investment to continue to build on the development work which is underway to help establish the Centre at its proposed 1.3 hectare site at the former Royal High School building on Calton Hill in Edinburgh.
Steve Dowdle, Managing Director, Sony UK Sales Company, said: "Sony United Kingdom Limited is delighted to be so closely associated with a project that carries such a high level of cultural and historical significance for the Scottish people. Photography touches all of our lives on a daily basis, and therefore provides an artistic medium that connects and inspires all ages.
"As a provider of high quality and innovative digital imaging products, Sony plays an increasingly important role in the development of digital photography, making our association with the SNPC a particularly exciting and relevant one. We very much look forward to playing our part in the development of the SNPC, and to providing our ongoing support to the SNPC project team."
SNPC Chairman Dr Michael Shea said: "Sony UK's support is a significant vote of confidence for the visual arts in Scotland. There is a gratifying surge of interest in photography in the UK with exhibitions delivering tremendous audience figures and with new centres for photography opening throughout Europe Scotland's distinct photographic legacy deserves a focal point to celebrate and advance this most democratic of all contemporary art forms."
Graeme Murdoch, Chief Executive of SNPC, commented: "We see the Centre as an important part of the strategic cultural development for the visual arts in Scotland whilst raising awareness of our country's dynamic photographic heritage.
"Through the fusion of historical collections with exciting contemporary work, and the space to show the major touring exhibitions, the Scottish National Photography Centre will further boost Edinburgh's world acclaim as an important destination for visual arts enthusiasts."
In welcoming the Sony UK support, National Galleries of Scotland Director-General Sir Timothy Clifford said: "The National Galleries of Scotland enthusiastically support the Scottish National Photography Centre and are pleased to be associated with a partnership that can only enhance our strong commitment to all aspects of the visual arts in Scotland. The offer from the Scottish National Photography Centre to store and maintain the Scottish National Photography Collection on behalf of the NGS in fitting and stable conditions is welcomed by the Director-General and the Trustees."
October 2003 | Heritage Lottery Fund announces first grant
The Board can announce that it has succeeded in its application for an initial Project Planning Grant of £48,600 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Speaking of the news the Chairman of SNPC Ltd, Dr Michael Shea said:
"This is tremendous news for the project and for Scottish photography. The award of the grant which will enable us to commission a comprehensive conservation management plan for this most significant classical building. Today we have taken a significant step in fulfilling our aim of establishing a world-class photographic centre and gallery in Edinburgh, arguably the historic home of photography.
"The important and exhaustive study – necessary to allow us to fully utilise the building while preserving its most important features – will be undertaken by architects Law & Dunbar-Nasmith. The site which is currently owned by the City of Edinburgh Council has been generously offered to SNPC Ltd subject to successful completion of the preliminary feasibility and business plans and we are now well on our way towards that aim."
Colin McLean, the Heritage Lottery Fund's Manager for Scotland, explains why the project was awarded a Project Planning grant:
"The former Royal High School is an impressive heritage building which is in desperate need of a viable use so that its future can be secured. It is, however, a complex site. Our grant will be used to develop a conservation plan and appoint a project officer to explore the issues and review the options available. This is an important step in the development of a National Photography Centre for Scotland and we are delighted to help them on their way."
The plan also has the full backing of Edinburgh City Council, whose Director of Culture and Leisure, Herbert Coutts, added:
"This announcement is very encouraging. The City of Edinburgh Council is eager to support a sustainable viable use for this important building and also sees the SNPC initiative giving added impetus to our ambitious programme to encourage an eastward stimulus for visitors to this quarter of the city centre. With ease of access to the main transport links and other cultural attractions, I expect the Centre to become a prime destination for visitors and local enthusiasts interested in the art of photography."
Also welcoming the grant and Sir Sean's involvement was the Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland, Sir Timothy Clifford:
"The grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund to the SNPC was a shrewd and wise move. How wonderful, as well, to hear of Sir Sean's involvement in this project! Within the former Royal High School which is undoubtedly Edinburgh's greatest neo-classical building, I hope we shall enjoy before long a great photographic institution."
The SNPC Chief Executive Graeme Murdoch concluded:
"The Scottish history and practice of the art of photography has true international status and while there are worldwide institutions devoted to the celebration and promotion of photography, as yet, Scotland has no national centre.
"The proposed Centre will be a gallery, educational forum, conservation centre and magnet for the best of photography and photographers, at home and abroad. This will be achieved in active collaboration with artistic, educational and community organisations here and worldwide.
"Given its spectacular south-facing location and its content the Centre will be a place like no other – a new place of light both for the city and the international community."
October 2003 | Sir Sean Connery to be patron
The Board of the Scottish National Photography Centre (SNPC), to be established in the former Royal High School at Calton Hill in Edinburgh has announced that Sir Sean Connery and Mrs Carol Colburn Høgel of Dunard Fund have agreed to be the first patrons of the Centre.
Speaking of the news the Chairman of SNPC Ltd, Dr Michael Shea said:
"This is tremendous news for the project and for Scottish photography. Mrs Høgel is a great supporter of the arts in Scotland and is well known in the arts community and Sir Sean is a figure of huge importance and his support is invaluable."
Commenting during his recent visit to the site of the proposed Centre Sir Sean Connery said:
"If any country can claim to have been involved at the birth of photography, it is Scotland. The proposal to have a Scottish National Photography Centre, just yards from the Rock House studio of Hill and Adamson which was the centre of the art in the 1840s, is a truly exciting plan and has my overwhelming support. I am delighted to become its patron."
July 2003 | Exhibition Policy
The Centre will stage a wide range of exhibitions on different themes and areas of photography. It will display the work of well-known and newly-discovered Scottish photographers, both historical and contemporary, and balance this with experimental work and the photography of emerging artists. Fine examples of international photography will also be brought in from the outside world. The Centre aims to collaborate with other institutions in circulating exhibitions, particularly to venues in Scotland.
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The Red and White Roses, 1865
by Julia Margaret Cameron. Albumen print
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