The Scottish Sculpture Workshop (SSW) is an arts development organisation based in the rural village of Lumsden in Aberdeenshire. The organisation has been in existence for 35 years and has a strong legacy of attracting high calibre artists from all over the world. As such SSW has an international scope and network despite being a rural arts organisation. The SSW is a resource for local sculptors who need studio space and the equipment necessary for their work, e.g. there is a blacksmith space where metals can be smelted and poured into casts and moulds. SSW are particularly concerned with art that positively impacts on community.
SSW lacks adequate broadband; there is some connectivity, which can support perhaps one member of staff in the office space. This then fails when more people attempt to use the connection. We are working with SSW to develop higher capacity broadband using satellite technology. This is an exciting opportunity for streaming live events and activities online.
SSW have a global network of communities who are keen to engage in their activities, for example: Artists in Brazil; Blacksmiths working on iron age smelting. Currently SSW struggle to exchange with these organisations due to their rural location and broadband facilities. The programme of streaming events we are developing in the SIRA STREAMS project directly responds to the challenges SSW face.
The research described here is supported by the award made by the RCUK Digital Economy programme to the dot.rural Digital Economy Hub; award reference: EP/G066051/1.