A new way to enjoy Birnam Arts

This isn’t simply a new look to our site – it is a completely new experience for us all.

We’ve listed to you, our communities, and have some new links for you to use, starting with a new way to see what events are coming, and to book your tickets.

Time to book a ticket or two

One of the most important elements we wanted to include in our new website was an easy to find out what is happening at Birnam Arts, and to be able to book your tickets. And this new site brings that to you in spades!

We’ll let still you know about what’s coming up soon through different online platforms as well, but if you want, this is your new one-stop-shop to find out what is coming to your local arts centre – and get your tickets sorted!

You’ll be able to search by genre – are you looking for a comedy, theatre, music, or dance? Or you can search by date – and find something for a special celebration with a friend or loved one, or to gather a group of friends and come along to a show together!

Of course, you can also see information about the current exhibition, upcoming workshops and classes, festivals and community events, talks and activities to support your well-being. 

Just look for the red What’s On tab near the top of the website, and you’ll find all you need.

So what else is happening at Birnam Arts?

For those who know, it is hard to imagine the Birnam Dunkeld area without thinking of one of our most famous regular visitors, Beatrix Potter. As a regular childhood visitor from London, Beatrix spent many of the milder-weather months exploring and learning about nature in the hills and pathways nearby. We invite you to visit the exhibition to learn a little something new about this fascinating woman.

Along with the well-known exhibition about many of the adventures Beatrix Potter enjoyed during her childhood family summer stays in Perthshire, there is also a wonderful mezzanine with different exhibitions throughout the year. Usually featuring the work of local artists – often with time to meet and speak with the artist – the sun-filled gallery offers a little respite from the busyness of daily life. Even if you are only in the area for a short while, we’d love to welcome you to our beautiful building.

Whether you choose to visit the Beatrix Potter exhibition, or spend a little time in the gallery, our gift shop and café offer additional ways to relax and enjoy your time at Birnam Arts.

The gift shop is currently expanding its range of products, but keeping some old favourites, particularly for fans of Beatrix Potter.

The café is enjoying the combination of familiar favourites and new flavours as well, as the culinary skills of long-time staff member, Sandra, continues to bake delicious, sweet treats, and new chef Alex starts to introduce some new delights. And across the menu, we consider our visitors seeking vegan and gluten-free options.

A place to be creative

As we considered how we want to think about the work we are doing – and the opportunities we want to invite you to join us in – three words kept coming up: Creative, Inspiring, Different.

We look at the range of spaces we have here at Birnam Arts and we are looking forward to new projects and programmes for you to enjoy in our two studios. From weekly creative kids to French conversation lessons, or maybe a yoga or Pilates class, we are working to create a range of reasons for you to visit us.

However, we know that regular classes don’t suit everyone. We are working with Scottish artists to develop a programme of workshops that will inspire and stretch your creative energies. Something different is just around the corner!  

Building on our history

Importantly, as we launch our new website, we know how essential it is that we don’t forget where we’ve come from, and our incredible partners who’ve walked beside us throughout the past 20 years.

An important part of Birnam Arts is the Birnam Library in the original part of the building, which has been a part of our story for more than 140 years, to the support from Culture Perth & Kinross in keeping our community connected with books even through the past 18 months.

Throughout the past 20 years since Birnam Arts opened – through the various name changes and building on the different roles in our history dating back to the 1880s – the support of local and regional business leaders is something we have valued immensely.

We are honoured that so many believe that Birnam Arts offers great value to the lives of those who take part in our activities. Our partners and champions – both large and small – have not only supported our presence, but also supported our staff, volunteers, and board. And we are incredibly grateful for that support.

If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community – in so many forms – to support the role of the arts in all our lives. Birnam Arts is for us all as we step into the next 20 years of being creative, inspiring each other, and looking for something just a little bit different.

• Images