Artists’ studios recognised as top social enterprise

Wasps Studios has been named as the Scottish Social Enterprise of the Year, for its role supporting the arts and artists across the country. Wasps Studios provides affordable workspace to up to 1,000 creative people a year through its 17 centres. Over the last decade it has raised £21m and invested it in securing high-quality studio space for future generations of artists. It was recognised for its work hosting 85 exhibitions over the past year, exhibiting work by 185 artists, attracting around 22,000 visitors and running workshops that benefited more than 5,000 participants.

The annual awards honour innovative, independent businesses that exist specifically for social or environmental purposes. Other organisations recognised this year include the City of Edinburgh Council & Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network, Cunninghame Housing Association, and Firstport’s ‘Beyond the Finish Line’ programme, which challenged young people in Glasgow to regenerate their local areas by setting up social enterprises in underused spaces.

CEO of Wasps Studios, David Cook said: “All of us who work at Wasps are thrilled to get this award, especially as it comes from other social enterprises. We are honoured to be representing Scotland’s diverse social enterprise sector in the UK awards next month, but mostly, we’re really chuffed!”