out of the blue background history

out of the blue
was born in a small shop unit on Blackfriars Street in 1994 of one passionate aim: to make the arts more accessible. At that time we could not easily define this term 'accessibility' rather it embodied for us a feeling. This feeling was that we were not experiencing creativity and art as part of our daily lives and this was due to barriers, real and sometimes invisible, which existed to restrict our experience of and participation in the arts. Seven years on out of the blue has moved down the Royal Mile to it's current premises at 6-14 New Street, an old bus depot which has been transformed into a bustling hive of activity, with over 30 artists studios, and around 5,000 people a month attending a variety of events within The Bongo Club, the venue housed within the arts centre.

out of the blue is still looking for ways of helping people to feel that art and the experience of artists is for them to share and that creativity can be accessible to each of us. Our attempts to counter feelings of alienation have also extended to gaps that exist between artists themselves working in similar or different art forms. We actively promote experimentation and collaboration to explore what is possible, and look for collaborative opportunities to involve people who are economically, politically and culturally marginalised.

There are many people actively engaged in attempting to break down barriers to participation to creativity as part of their work, or as a way of life. Whilst there may be many differing interpretations of what a healthy society should involve, there are also many similarities in approach and ideology. out of the blue recognises the value of people getting together to explore what it is that people consider to be important practices within the arts. Whilst we are sure people have done this before in many shapes or forms it is important to hear what people were saying and to learn from each other's experience. Social inclusion is a multi dimensional concept, which is about full participation in society, but also encompasses exclusion through discrimination and poverty. There is an obvious need to create a 'participatory infrastructure', where those marginalized from decision making can have their say and take appropriate action. In the arts a sustained and coordinated approach, looking outwards as well as inwards can have an effect in breaking down barriers to creativity....and beyond.

out of the blue recognises that to develop as a useful and creative community resource we need to grow, adapt and change with external and internal circumstances. As we find our feet, our knowledge and experience extends as we exchange ideas and interact with others. In the healthy context of lifelong learning we need to find time, opportunity and hopefully inclination to re-consider old ideas and find new ways forward.

The most immediate challenge we face at present is to find a new premises, as the lease on the New Street premises will end presently...for details of where we're at with this, see the News page.

 out of the blue Trust, 6 New Street, Edinburgh, Scotland. EH8 8DW
 admin@outoftheblue.org.uk - +44 (0)131 556 5204
 Scottish Charity SC 022812