Announcing new Patron & Home

Written By Kevin Harrison

Artlink Central is delighted to announce big changes as a new patron, Bryan Beattie takes the reigns and as Artlink Central makes its move to new premises Number 7 at 5-7 Upper Craigs, Stirling FK8 2DG, marking an exciting new chapter for the organisation as it expands its capacity to deliver creative, inclusive, and community-driven arts programmes across the region. 

 

Bryan Beattie at engagement workshop in Killearn

New Patron – Bryan Beattie 

 “We are delighted to welcome Bryan Beattie as Patron.”, said Chair of Artlink Central, Dr Philip Gaskell.  

Bryan Beattie is the founder and director of Creative Services Scotland, the country’s longest-established specialist cultural consultancy, and Big Sky, its production and publishing arm. He has delivered cultural strategies and creative projects across Scotland, including work with Scene Stirling to shape the city’s cultural vision. Bryan co-authored the influential Arts and Cultural Assets report (British Council / Creative Scotland, 2022) and is completing a professional doctorate on cultural rights at Queen Margaret University. 

 

Bryan took up the mantle of Patron with the following video message at Artlink Central’s AGM – the inaugral event in the new premises. 

Bryan has had a long history in Stirling, including studying and living in the city, which led him to be part of the initiative that started Artlink Central in 1988. This is a full circle moment with him returning to the organisation as its role in culture in the city and across Forth Valley continues to develop into supporting wider policy, partnership and place-making. 

 “Bryan’s expertise in cultural policy, inclusive practice, and creative place-making will help guide and amplify our work in the years ahead.” said Dr Gaskell.  

 Bryan takes on the role from Julia Donaldson MBE, acclaimed children’s author, whose extraordinary 19 years of patronage have left a lasting legacy. 

 

Previous Patron - Julia Donaldson

Julia Donaldson has been an extraordinary champion of Artlink Central since 2006, not only lending her name, but bringing her creativity, networks, and energy directly into our work. 

 Highlights of Julia’s Patronage: 

· 2011 — Curated The Illustrators, an exhibition at The Park Gallery (Callendar House) featuring original works by illustrators of her books, including Axel Scheffler and Lydia Monks. 

· 2017 — Performed Story Safari at Blair Drummond Safari Park, raising funds for our inclusive arts projects and delighting audiences with live storytelling and song. 

· Family contributions — Julia’s patronage was often a family affair. Her late husband Dr Malcolm Donaldson, an accomplished musician and composer, frequently performed alongside her, filling community spaces, schools, and hospitals with music, laughter, and storytelling. 

“Julia’s generosity of spirit — and the creative magic she and Malcolm shared — touched thousands of people across Central Scotland.” 

In 2025, Julia handed over the role of Patron to Bryan Beattie, leaving an enduring mark on our organisation and the communities we serve. 

 

New Location – Number 7, Upper Craigs 

Image of the Artlink Central premises at Number 7, Upper Craigs in Stirling lit up with staff and guests having a conversation as the photo looks in on two big windows and a window in a centre door with a curved brass handle.

Number 7 is the new Artlink Central premises and base for Scene Stirling, Stirling’s cultural partnership which will host a retail space for participatory art as well as offices and meeting space for the charity.

 The new location, situated in the centre of Stirling, offers improved accessibility, enhanced workspace for collaboration with artists and partners and a flexible environment designed to support Artlink Central’s mission of connecting people through creativity. The organisation can now strengthen its work with communities, healthcare settings, and local authorities, while creating new opportunities for participation and engagement. This will also be the base for Scene Stirling, Stirling’s cultural partnership project, managed by Artlink Central, a collaborative initiative by Stirling’s leading arts and cultural partners.  

 “Our new premises give us a vibrant, welcoming base that reflects the ambition of our work,” said [Kevin Harrison, Director], Artlink Central. “This move positions us to deepen our partnerships and broaden access to creative experiences for people across Stirling and the surrounding area.” 

 Throughout the year Artlink Central will be hosting pop-up exhibitions and workshops featuring some of our social prescribing work. In the Spring we host an exhibition celebrating printmaking from Forth Valley College’s evening courses. In addition, we will be offering art for sale developed through our programmes. Proceeds will be reinvested to support those communities to thrive in their chosen creative medium.  

Number 7 will also be a permanent home for Stirling’s Remembering Together Covid Memorial project with access to publications, artworks and film from the project which took place over a year across the Stirling area engaging with communities across the seasons.   

Artlink Central has moved from its recent home at Stirling’s Reuse Centre based with Transition Stirling and Good Green Futures, in Springkerse. The positive partnership has continued as the Reuse Construction project has enabled the refurbishment of the new premises to have a climate friendly and reuse slant. With materials from the Hub and donations from other social enterprises such as Resonate Together in Alloa, the project has utilised reused materials for the majority of the ongoing refit which will continue into 2026 as the space begins to be used with plans open to the public more regularly in the New Year. 

For over three decades, Artlink Central has delivered high-quality participatory arts projects supporting wellbeing, social connection, and creative opportunity throughout central Scotland. New enlarged premises will reinforce its commitment to ensuring that creativity is accessible to all. 

Kevin Harrison
Kevin Harrison is the Director of Artlink Central, a charity and social enterprise designing creative experiences in conjunction with artists, public bodies and led by disadvantaged or marginalised people particularly in health, social care or criminal justice contexts. . Kevin joined the organisation five years ago and was previously Arts and Wellbeing Manager with Sense Scotland since 2006, supporting a Scotland-wide participation in the arts for disabled people with communication needs. Kevin managed the development of a range of arts projects including Threads and Found in Translation, projects exploring cultural diversity and disability, and Leaving New Craigs, a life history project in Inverness for people leaving the last long stay hospital in Scotland. He managed a national arts and wellbeing team and supported the establishment of a strong creative programme in the TouchBase, a new inclusive base for people and communities supported by Sense Scotland in the south side of Glasgow. Kevin who has a degree in theatre and film from Roehampton University and who undertook postgraduate studies in Arts Management and Policy at Birkbeck University of London is also a trustee for Scottish Prison Arts Network, chair of Dementia Friendly Forth Valley as part of a Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) programme. Previous posts include freelance editor and administration roles with key national disability arts organisation, Shape Arts and public sector roles in Arts Development and as Business Manager, Creative Academy, Slough Borough Council, supporting a multi-million pound EQUAL creative industries inclusion programme . He also has experience of managing Music 4 Slough, a Youth Music Action Zone.