2018 Annual Report

Welcome to ONFife’s 2018/19 Annual Review

"The Creative Industries contribute more than £7 billion to the Scottish economy each year and support more than 80,000 jobs accounting for 3.2% of employment in Scotland.” (Scottish Government, National Cultural Strategy)

Welcome to our 2018/19 Review which charts how our cultural and creative activities are a catalyst for the economy of both Fife and Scotland.  This year, we began to draw up exciting proposals to transform the Adam Smith Theatre into a lively cultural hub – an important contribution to Kirkcaldy’s future economic regeneration. We’ve already seen the benefits of capital investment in the new award-winning Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries. Sustaining the momentum of that capital investment for many years to come is our priority. We’ve made a superb start with a busy events and exhibition programme, 12 awards, healthy visitor numbers and a higher profile for the venue.

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Another far-sighted capital investment by Fife Council is the state-of-the-art Collections Centre at Bankhead, Glenrothes – a commitment which is allowing us to build national partnerships while opening our doors to more researchers and visits by the public – this year we hosted tours of Fife’s collections by 10 different groups including museum professionals.

There are many other ways in which we contribute to economic regeneration; not only as a lead partner in fundraising and attracting national inward investment to Fife but also by bringing people into our town centres to visit our theatres, libraries, museums and galleries. Our work in growing Fife’s cultural tourism saw international visitors at St Andrews Museum, five-star visitor attraction status for Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries and a busy exhibitions programme at Kirkcaldy Galleries.

During this year, our new vision of libraries as busy venues at the heart of communities was created. In amongst the bookshelves were pop-up contemporary dance duets, live music and Weekends With The Family, a new series of events which encourage families to spend time together in our venues. But we’re not stopping with our libraries – research is already under way to pursue a new vision for our Museums & Galleries.

No one is more passionate about ONFife’s role in our communities than our staff.  From the children’s team, which run British Sign Language Bookbug sessions for families with deaf children, to the Creative Development group providing hands-on experience of the music business for secondary school pupils at risk of exclusion.  None of this would have been possible without the passion and commitment of our staff, so I’d like to close with a big thank you to them; I hope that you enjoy reading about their achievements in this Review of 2018/19.

David Caldwell profile picture

Dr David Caldwell
Chair of ONFife Board

To help you navigate the website, look out for the page turn icons at the bottom of each page. These will guide you through the website from ‘beginning’ to ‘end’, ensuring you don’t miss any of our exciting news stories.

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Section 1

Our Organisation

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Section 2

Culture

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Section 3

Economy

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Section 4

Communities

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Section 5

Finance

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Section 6

Venues

April 2017

Large Project of the Year

Edinburgh Architectural Association

April 2017

Building of the Year

Edinburgh Architectural Association

June 2017

Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS)

RIAS Awards 2017 winner [1 of 12 awards]

June 2017

Scottish Government’s Client of the Year award

Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS)

Nov 2017

RIAS Andrew Doolan Award for Building of the Year

Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS)

March 2018

My Place Awards 2017 shortlisted

Scottish Civic Trust

March 2018

Civic Trust Commendation Winner

Civic Trust

April 2018

Community Benefit award

RICS Awards 2018, Scotland (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors)

June 2018

DCL&G became the first attraction in Dunfermline to be awarded 5 stars in the Quality Assurance Scheme

VisitScotland

October 2018

Heritage Category

SPACES (Society of Public Architecture, Construction, Engineering and Surveying)

October 2018

Civic Building of the Year

SPACES (Society of Public Architecture, Construction, Engineering and Surveying)

November 2018

Best Heritage Tourism Experience finalist / award

VisitScotland Scottish Thistle Awards - Central, Fife & Tayside Region