Art in Partnership

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Aberdeen Beach

In 1998, Aberdeen City Council and Grampian Enterprise Ltd. invited Art in Partnership to work with them to prepare a major environmental improvement scheme for an area of the city known as “the Beach”, focusing on and around the Queen’s Links. The site is one mile east of the city and extends one mile north/south, and is used by up to one and half million visitors every year. The aim was to transform the current run down public open space into an area of relevance for current and future generations.

A grant from the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery made it possible to invite a number of artists and an urban design consultancy to join the design team and work together to create a unique vision for the Beach.

The feasibility study and the response to the public consultation events suggests that the design team's ambitious and innovative proposals stood every chance of achieving the city's aspirations for the project.

"Over 70% of local business felt that the scale and scope of the Aberdeen beach project, and in particular the integration of the innovative and creative artwork proposals, would benefit the economy."

From a report by EKOS commissioned by Grampian Enterprise Limited.

“Aberdeen beach is already used by one-and-a-half million people every year and is generating at least £34million in revenue for local business. We now have a tremendous opportunity to create a vision for Aberdeen that will really put us on the world-wide map. Local people, business and visitors will all benefit for many years to come if we have the confidence as a community to take a bold step and make positive changes.”

Director of Competitive Place, Grampian Enterprise.

The following proposals formed part of the masterplan:

The Axis Project:

Artist, Vito Acconci's proposal for a series of ramped walkways and landscaped forms at the heart of the Beach Park provides a visual and physical link from the city centre to the sea front.

The Shelters Projects:

Jacqueline Donachie proposed a series of shelters to be located along the Esplanade that function as unique landmarks, viewing points and a respite for walkers, cyclists and skateboarders.

The Strip: Light Project

Despite the common denominator of leisure usage, there is little consistency in terms of architectural styles, materials or colour in the buildings that line the Promenade. Several of the artists have developed proposals for light-based interventions intended to animate, enliven and introduce some coherence to the disparate character of “the strip”. These include proposals from Jim Buckley, Tony Cooper and Frances Hegarty and Andrew Stones.