PLANS for a Scottish National Photography Centre (SNPC) havereceived a major boost after National Galleries boss Sir TimothyClifford said he believes the institution's photography collectionshould be transferred to the proposed new centre.
In an introduction to his final exhibition before he retires nextJanuary, Choice at the Royal Scottish Academy, Clifford suggestedthat the project would be an ideal home for the country's completephotography collection - a significant step forward for the bid.
Clifford also lobbied strongly for the Scottish Executive tosupport the bid's choice of site - Edinburgh's former Royal HighSchool on Calton Hill.
'Basically, I think that the idea of the High School as a placefor showing these photographs is magnificent, ' he said in aninterview with the Sunday Herald last week.
'It is one of the greatest neo-classical buildings in the whole ofEurope, and to see it standing idle is disgraceful. It is 64 pacesfrom the studio of Hill and Adamson [the 19th century Scottishphotographic pioneers] and they were such key early inventors that itseems entirely approprate.
'Of course, restoring the building is going to cost money, but itwill give employment and endless pleasure to people in Scotland.'
Clifford said that he would lobby Jack McConnell, in a gentle way,to invest in cultural buildings in the capital city of Edinburgh.
The SNPC, which has Sir Sean Connery as its patron and Sony UKLimited as its founding sponsor, has had an initial project planninggrant from the Heritage Lottery Fund of GBP48,600.
The plan would see the establishment of one of the finest centresof its kind in the world, exhibiting the best in national andinternational photography and celebrating Scotland's historic role inthe development of the profession.
The centre's action committee has now applied for a furtherHeritage Lottery grant of GBP4.9 million to set up the centre in thepreferred site of the former Royal High School, and hopes to raisethe rest of the required GBP21m with the help of Edinburgh CityCouncil, the Scottish Executive and private donations.
However, some senior sources in the arts world have suggested thatthe project would have more hope of success in its fundingapplications if it were amalgamated with the existing photographycollection of the National Galleries, and were run as a subsidiary ofthis larger institution.
In his introduction to the catalogue of the Choice exhibition,based on 21 years of acquisitions, Clifford proposes that thecollections should be amalgamated. He has written to the SNPC actioncommittee suggesting the same thing.
'Photography is the art form of the present era and I have triedto respond to that challenge, ' he wrote in the catalogue. 'When Iarrived, apart from the great Hill and Adamson collection and themassive holdings in the Portrait Gallery of portrait photographs andcartes de visite, our collections were ill balanced and quite poor.
'After the acquisition of the huge Riddell collection, and variousother generous gifts, we changed from the nomenclature of 'ScottishPhotographic Archive' to Scottish National Photography Collection.
'I have never believed that these collections sat naturally withinthe Portrait Gallery's purview and hope that either the proposedScottish National Photography Centre on the Old High School onCarlton Hill becomes a reality, and we transfer our collectionsthere, or the collections in the future will separate along gallerylines.'
The Heritage Lottery Fund will make a decision on the bid beforethe end of the year, however it is understood that in discussionswith the SNPC the body has made enquiries about an adequateacquisitions budget - one problem that could be solved with theamalgamation of the National Galleries' collection, and a publiccampaign for gifts and bequests.
Graeme Murdoch, chief executive of the SNPC, welcomed the proposalfrom Clifford.
'It is heartening to have the continuing support and encouragementof Sir Tim and his trustees, ' he said.
'A national photography collection is a nation's asset and shouldbe on permanent accessible display for the people. However, like anycollection, this one is incomplete - there are many gaps which needto be filled and that is a challenge we will welcome.
'Photography matters because it is there all the time, all aroundus; it is the democratic art form.
'Few countries played such an important part in the invention anddevelopment of photography, yet our celebration of that remarkablehistory has been more than muted and our support structure for thecontinuing presence of leading photographers in our nation has beenless than ideal.
'By relocating the internationally regarded Scottish NationalPhotography Collection (which is on offer to the project from theNational Galleries), we will have the chance to conserve and displayour extraordinary heritage.'
Ricky Henderson, executive member for sport, culture and leisureat Edinburgh City Council, said the council is already supportive ofthe project, particularly if it is to be based at the Royal HighSchool site.
'We have had talks with Dr Michael Shea and Graeme Murdoch, chairand chief executive of the SNPC, and we are supportive of theproject, ' he said.
'I don't think we have capital funding committed but we want to doa deal to donate the site to them. They need to put together thefunding package to restore the site, and I know they have haddiscussions with the Scottish Executive.
'In the photography context, it is an important project, and itwould be great to have it in Edinburgh. To have the Royal High Schoolperforming that function as well would be a win-win situation fromour perspective.'
A spokeswoman for the Heritage Lottery Fund said:
'We have had an application and it is expected to go to the boardin December for a decision.
A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said: 'The Executive iscurrently assessing the business case for the project.'
senay. boztas@sundayherald. com
NEED TO KNOW
THE Scottish National Portrait Gallery's photographic collectionincludes important historical work as well as innovative contemporaryphotography.
Calum Colvin's work has a sculptural aspect, involving createdinteriors reminiscent of theatrical sets which are used as a 3-Dcanvas, playing on the tradition of trompe l'oeil imagery. RobertAdamson and David Octavius Hill, 19th century photography pioneers,are best known for their documentary work of Newhaveners. GeorgeRodger, a co-founder of the Magnum photographic agency, is one ofmany photojournalists whose work is also represented.
NEED TO KNOW MORE?
www. snpc. org. uk
