The new Passivhaus building will include public viewing spaces, conservation studios, digitisation facilities, education rooms and spaces for local groups to book. Visitors will be able to explore thousands of artworks spanning more than 700 years, see conservation work in action, take part in events and learn new skills.
Research commissioned for the project estimates that The Art Works will unlock more than £350million in social and economic benefits. It will do this by expanding access to art and cultural activities - community engagement is a key element of the project that will be supported by our funding.
The Art Works will be a hub for loans, touring exhibitions and research, making it easier for artworks to travel around Scotland, the UK and the world. It will also provide better long-term storage for the collections, reflecting the priorities highlighted in our recent research into how museums store their collections.
Our funding for The Art Works supports wider regeneration in the Granton area. In 2025 we awarded £1.3m to the City of Edinburgh Council’s Granton Waterfront initiative.
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “This project will foster creative learning, skills development, employment and partnerships, while contributing to cultural regeneration and local pride. It will also use digital technology to make Scotland’s artworks more accessible for everyone, wherever they live.”
