Royal Scottish Academy

About

The Pier Arts Centre in Stromness, Orkney was established in 1979 to provide a home for an important collection of British fine art donated by the author, peace activist and philanthropist Margaret Gardiner (1904 – 2005).

Margaret Gardiner’s original collection, includes works by major 20th Century artists Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson and Alfred Wallis, amongst others, as well as important Orcadian artists such as Sylvia Wishart and Stanley Cursiter.

The outstanding collection has grown steadily since 1979 and now comprises over 230 works including contemporary additions by artists such as Jim Lambie, Edmund de Waal and Katy Dove, as well as works by Orcadian artists Steven MacIver and Brandon Logan.

The Pier Arts Centre’s ambitious programme of exhibitions, learning activities and residencies supports its mission to provide inspirational and barrier-free opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy, explore, define and create art. The Centre's aim to inspire and connect artists and audiences and to contribute to community well-being expands from the unfolding legacy of its remarkable collection, from its facilities and by the skills and commitment of its staff and volunteers. Linkshouse – Orkney Arts Residency is a dedicated residential and creative space on the north-west coast of Orkney’s Mainland. It offers a spectacular location for creative endeavour in a unique historic and natural environment.

The property is managed by the Pier Arts Centre after it was bequeathed by Barbara and Edgar Williamson in memory of their son, artist Erlend Williamson (1966-96), who found great inspiration in Orkney’s landscape and environment.

Alongside the facilities at the Pier Arts Centre, the establishment of a permanent residency centre at Linkshouse – Orkney Arts Residency has widened the scope of creative and learning opportunities in Orkney. The Residency programme has hosted artists from Canada, Hong Kong, Germany and Nigeria, as well as creative practitioners from across Scotland and the UK. The programme provides a landing strip for artists visiting Orkney and a launch pad for local creativity and supports arts organisations, community activities, and individuals to enjoy and create art in Orkney.

Studio Facilities

Linkshouse was renovated in 2022 and is operated as a dedicated residency centre for artists, across all media, from Orkney and around the world. The property has five comfortable bedrooms, with en-suite facilities, and generous communal living, cooking and reading areas. Linkshouse has two unheated workshops located in the single story out-building. These spaces are suitable for messy work. There is also a space on the ground ﬂoor within the main building, suitable for clean working.

We strive to facilitate every artist, however, we are currently unable to host practices which involve hot working, or work with materials such as stone and metal due to issues with noise and dust.

Workshops allocation is dependent on availability and spaces may be shared.

There is WIFI throughout the facility, although the remote location can sometimes lead to drops in signal.

There is limited space for parking at the facility (max 3 vehicles)

Costs

Single Room with shared access to studio c.£700 per week.

Prices are dependent on both the length of stay and time of year. All rooms include ensuite facilities, with access to shared living room, kitchen and use of a studio or workshop space. Self-catering basis. All bedlinen and towels supplied. Inclusive of utilities.

If you have any access requirements, please let us know in advance.

Pets are strictly not allowed in the property. The exception is for support dogs, however, please be aware that the property is surrounded by farmland with grazing livestock.

Minimum Period

2 weeks

Maximum Period

2 months

Other facilities

There is a very strong artistic community in Orkney who are eager to engage with visiting artists. This can take the form of informal get-togethers and social events to more formal talks, workshops or mentoring sessions. The Pier Arts team are happy to help make connections and facilitate activities.

The facility is located in an exceptionally beautiful part of Orkney’s west mainland and is near to several iconic archaeological sites, including the Norse settlement on the Brough of Birsay. There is a small general store a short walk away from Linkshouse and a café next to the site. While the location is remote from Stromness and Kirkwall (Orkney’s main towns) a bus public service calls to Birsay and can be utilised to connect to other parts of the island.

Support offered

Linkshouse resident artists have the support of the staff team at the Pier Arts Centre, who have many years of experience of working with artists across all media.

Although there is not a member of staff sited at Linkshouse, the Pier Arts Centre team are available to assist with any queries.

Promotional support offered

Promotion of the residency, the artist and their work can be offered on the website and through social media platforms which have a local, national and international following.

Connections can also be made with local media platforms (Radio Orkney/the Orcadian) to further promote the project.

Exhibition or other opportunities

An exhibition at the Pier Arts Centre is not offered as part of the residency. Artist led workshops, talks and presentations can be discussed with the Pier Arts Centre team and facilitated if capacity allows.

Requirements

Applications are encouraged from artists with a particular interest in the Pier Arts Centre and its Collection, who's work would benefit from time spent in a rural location such as Orkney, or who have a focus on the heritage, history, culture or industries present in Orkney.

Accommodation offered

Linkshouse has five comfortable bedrooms, with en-suite facilities, and generous communal living, cooking and reading areas. The residency opportunity includes a bedroom with access to a shared studio and shared living spaces.

There are laundry facilities and a drying green, a kitchen with induction hob, dishwasher, oven, microwave and fridge freezer. Cooking equipment, crockery, cutlery, bedding and towels are provided.

There is limited parking at the property (space for 3 cars)

www.pierartscentre.com/linkshouseorkneyartsresidency

Alternative accommodation

There is a hostel and campsite nearby with hook-up facilities, toilet and shower blocks on site and washing facilities/drying green.

Travel

There are daily flights from Scotland’s main airports via Loganair https://www.loganair.co.uk/ and daily car ferry sailings from Scrabster in the north of Scotland, or twice weekly from Aberdeen with Northlink Ferries https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/ , and from Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope with Pentland Ferries https://pentlandferries.co.uk/

Orkney.com https://www.orkney.com/ provides a lot of information on travelling to Orkney, either by public or private transport.

Getting to Linkshouse on arrival in Orkney

Linkshouse is located on the north-west coast of Orkney’s West Mainland, in the small village of Palace, Birsay (KW17 2LX).

There is a limited bus service to Birsay from Kirkwall and Stromness: https://www.orkney.gov.uk/ourservices/transport/bus-services/service-7-birsay-and-dounby/ The best way to get around Orkney is by car. There are care hire facilities in Orkney but we would suggest booking in advance.

Accessibility

The kitchen and shared living spaces (including a WC) on the ground floor are accessible. There is one fully accessible bedroom with ensuite. One of the outside workspaces and the inside studio are accessible.