Crowdfunder launched to support new arts and community hub in Penicuik

A team of passionate local musicians have launched a new charity to transform Valleyfield House in Penicuik into an arts centre and community hub.

Valleyfield House is one of Penicuik’s most significant historic buildings, but it is at risk of being lost to private ownership. As a response, a team of passionate musicians have launched a new community charity, Valleyfield Arts, to ensure the building is protected, restored and transformed into an inclusive performing arts centre and community hub to serve the people of Penicuik and the surrounding areas.

Founded by the Head of Pentland School of Music, Graham McDonald, Valleyfield Arts is aiming to raise £1million to purchase and restore Valleyfield House, and early public support is crucial to show funders that there is clear local backing.

Valleyfield Art’s vision is for this important historic building to become a dynamic performing arts centre and inclusive community space, prioritising access, participation and wellbeing.

While music education will play a central role, it is hoped the building will support a broad range of performing and creative arts including dance, drama, theatre, movement, visual arts and interdisciplinary performance. Their aim is to create a flexible space where children, young people and adults can learn, rehearse, perform and connect – with a particular focus on those who currently face barriers to participation due to cost, confidence or limited local provision.

Graham McDonald shares that “it is about creating opportunity. It is about giving people space to move, create, perform and connect. With community support, Valleyfield House can become a place that genuinely belongs to the people it serves.”

Find out more and donate on the Valleyfield Arts website.