Museums And Archives

The Art Works

National Galleries of Scotland holds the nation’s art in trust for everyone. The Art Works is the project that will secure its future. It will replace fragile, dispersed storage with a purpose-designed, net-zero, publicly accessible national centre that protects the Collection and opens its working life to people across Scotland. The building will deliver radical access by making stored artworks, conservation, research and digitisation visible and bookable for all. Located in North Edinburgh, it embeds the National Collection within a diverse community, supporting creative learning, wellbeing, skills development and meaningful local partnership. As a key element of Scotland’s emerging National Collections infrastructure, The Art Works will reduce system-wide pressures, strengthen collaboration and enable more equitable loans, touring and research access. By safeguarding heritage, widening participation and operating sustainably, it will transform how Scotland cares for, shares and benefits from its national art collection for generations to come.