The report presented to the Trustees of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh by the Arts Working Group has been posted. Download the report.

Statement on behalf of the Arts Working Group

Professor Christopher Breward, who has chaired the Arts Working Group, has said on behalf of his fellow experts: “I am delighted at the positive response of the Trustees and Regius Keeper to the Arts Working Group Report and its recommendations. The Group proposed an ambitious vision for the continued delivery of a rich, distinctive and inspiring programme across all four of the RBGE sites, including Inverleith House, that will engage with a wide range of visitors, supporters and partners.  I commend the diligence and passion of all members of the Working Group, our colleagues at the RBGE and the commitment of those stakeholders in the wider community over the past six months who shared their views with the Group, and I am heartened that the trustees and staff of the RBGE will now commence work with an Advisory Group to translate the vision into a sustainable plan for the coming months and years.”

Statement on behalf of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

The Trustees and Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) very much welcome the Arts Working Group report. It reflects a high degree of informed, inspired and pragmatic effort by Professor Breward and all the Group’s members. The recommendations will undoubtedly help RBGE to build on its recognised artistic legacy and develop a more sustainable and integrated arts, creative and cultural programme across the four Gardens, including Inverleith House.  The Trustees particularly welcome the expert advice on how the future arts programme can “enhance and support” the institute’s mission to explore, conserve and explain the world of plants for a better future.

We are most grateful for both the individual and collective expertise within the Arts Working Group and to all involved for donating so much time to the task.

Now we need to prioritise our tasks, which include establishing an Arts Advisory Committee, seeking partnerships and financial investment and developing an arts programme that integrates existing and new artistic events and exhibitions with our core work. The focus will be on quality, sustainability and engagement, capitalising on our position as a world leading botanic garden. 

We look forward to welcoming visitors to our summer exhibition Plant Scenery of the World, celebrating the 50^th anniversary of our iconic, modernist Front Range Glasshouses, running in Inverleith House and the Lower Temperate House from July 29 to October 29, as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival. We are particularly grateful to Creative Scotland for their support of this exciting exhibition.