A lack of space is limiting the growth of Dundee’s creative sector.
Let's change that.
We want to develop a network of creative spaces which creates new opportunities for the creative sector in Dundee to thrive. We advocate for and support the creation of secure, long-term space driven by the needs of the creative community which facilitates collaboration, makes the sector visible and valued and demonstrates its potential.
Hapworks is currently led by Creative Dundee in collaboration with Dundee's creative sector and city partners.
A Collective Vision
Since February 2023, we have brought together creative practitioners and business, grassroots organisations and existing spaces through events, workshops and a survey to develop a collective vision for the future of creative space in Dundee.
Between February 2024 and June 2025 our pilot space Hapworks_00 occupied and animated a vacant retail unit in Dundee City Centre to test aspects of this long term vision and demonstrate the role creative communities can play in city regeneration.
Our report Foundations for Growth: Creative Space Infrastructure in Dundee aims to highlight the economic and social impacts of creative spaces, share the learnings from Hapworks_00 and suggest next steps we could take as a city to establish and support long-term creative space.
"Dundee needs more studios, workspaces, and presenting spaces to retain and attract talent, and to maintain its cultural reputation.”
Our Priorities
Strategic Outcomes
"We currently work in a studio space that is hidden away, inaccessible to the public and at times unsafe, but it feels like we don’t have many options.
I believe Dundee has so much potential but without better access to long-term space creative businesses will not survive.”
Why are we
doing this?
The Challenge
A lack of creative space is the biggest barrier to creative practitioners and businesses to establish, sustain and grow their practice or business in Dundee.
Whilst there remains vital creative spaces in the city, in the last decade we have seen a significant loss of others, many of which were catalysts for innovation and Dundee's current cultural identity.
Unless stated otherwise, the following data is the result of a survey run by Hapworks between 31st October and 10th December 2023. It was completed by 106 respondents who identified as a creative practitioner, business, or organisation.
96%
of respondents have struggled to find the space they need for their creative practice, business or projects.
59%
have considered leaving Dundee due to a lack of creative spaces and 50% cited having to leave Dundee as a potential outcome if they were unable to access adequate creative space.
62%
of respondents current space was not fit for purpose and 17% stated they had nowhere to do their creative work.
The Opportunity
86%
of survey respondents needed an alternative space to work in.
3,530 people are employed in the creative sector with 245 registered creative businesses based in Dundee, in 2023.
This does not include all jobs such as those working in higher eduction and doesn’t account for sole traders — 52% of Creative Industries businesses have 0 employees.
Scottish Government Growth Industry Statistics, summary collated by Creative Dundee, May 2025
The creative industries is Dundee's leading growth sector generating a total turnover of £353.4M, more than any other Scottish Government growth sector.
The Potential
73%
of survey respondents said access to a suitable creative space could allow them to dedicate more time to their creative work, 63% said it could allow new collaborations and 54% said it could allow them to stay in Dundee.
Research shows that there are significant and demonstrable benefits from the presence of cultural spaces including increases to property value, footfall, and neighbourhood vitality as well as improved public safety and community cohesion.
The Naturally Occurring Benefits of Cultural Space, published by the City of Seattle, 2017
Testimonials
How to
get involved
Creative practitioners & businesses
Tell us what you need
We actively want to involve creative communities and existing spaces in the development of this vision. Working together we have a more impactful voice and are better able to share knowledge, experiences, resources and networks.
If you are a creative practitioner, organisation or business, help us advocate for more creative spaces and inform our future work by telling us what creative space you need through events and workshops or get in touch.
Advisers
Support us with skills
We are looking for people or organisations that can support us as part of an advisory group with expertise in:
- Fundraising
- Property acquisition
- Planning
- Law
If you can offer your skills please get in touch.
Landlords, funders & investors
Work with us
Financial investment and property is required to develop and realise our vision. Do you want to:
- Help create new economic opportunities for the creative sector?
- Demonstrate new and innovative models for vacant spaces?
- Invest in the future of Dundee?
We would love to work with you, please get in touch.
Hapworks aims to create welcoming and sociable creative spaces which create the conditions for new connections to be made and as a result new collaborations and new work.
hap - chance, luck and fortune.
works - references Dundee’s industrial heritage, physical spaces for process and production.
The Haparanda - “The Hap” opened in 1957 and was located on Arbroath Rd, Dundee. A confectionary shop and cafe by day, transforming into a trendy, happening hang out in the evenings with music and performances.
Hapworks has been enabled by Creative Dundee with support from Creative Scotland’s Recovery Fund for Cultural Organisations and Dundee City Council’s Vacant to Vibrant initiative.
© Hapworks 2025
Identity & Website by Agency of None