Doors Open Days Scotland
Encyclopedia
Doors Open Days provides free access to buildings not normally open to the public. The first Doors Open Day took place in France in 1984, and the concept has spread to other places in Europe (see European Heritage Days
), North America, and elsewhere.
Doors Open Days promotes architecture and built heritage to as wide an audience as possible within and beyond the country's borders. It is an opportunity to discover hidden architectural gems and to see behind doors that are rarely open to the public for free.
. Alongside Scottish Archaeology Month http://www.scottisharchaeologymonth.com, the open days form Scotland
's contribution to European Heritage Days
. This joint initiative between the Council of Europe
and the European Union
aims to give people a greater understanding of each other through sharing and exploring cultural heritage. 49 countries across Europe
take part annually, in September.
During Glasgow
's year as European City of Culture in 1990, organisers ran an Open Doors event. Its popularity encouraged other areas to take part the following year and were coordinated by the Scottish Civic Trust
. Doors Open Days now take place throughout Scotland thanks to a dedicated team of area coordinators. These coordinators work for a mixture of organisations: local councils
, civic trusts, heritage
organisations and archaeological trusts.
Scotland
is one of the few participating countries where events take place every weekend in September, with different areas choosing their own dates. More than 900 buildings now take part. In 2008, over 225,000 visits were made generating £2million for the Scottish economy. It is estimated that 5,000 or more volunteers give their time to run activities and open doors for members of the public.
Doors Open Days was supported in 2009 by Homecoming Scotland 2009, a year-long initiative that marked the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. It was funded by the Scottish Government and part financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. Its aim was to engage Scots at home as well as motivate people of Scottish descent and those who simply love Scotland, to take part in an inspirational celebration of Scottish culture and heritage. In 2009 Doors Open Days took place on Saturdays and Sundays; 5,6 / 12,13 / 19,20 / and 26,27 September throughout Scotland.
European Heritage Days
European Heritage Days is a joint action of the Council of Europe and the European Commission involving all 50 signatory states of the European Cultural Convention under the motto, Europe: a common heritage. The annual programme offers opportunities to visit buildings, monuments and sites, many of...
), North America, and elsewhere.
Doors Open Days promotes architecture and built heritage to as wide an audience as possible within and beyond the country's borders. It is an opportunity to discover hidden architectural gems and to see behind doors that are rarely open to the public for free.
Doors Open Days in Scotland
Doors Open Days is organised by the Scottish Civic TrustScottish Civic Trust
The Scottish Civic Trust is a registered charity. Founded in 1967, and based in the Category A listed Tobacco Merchants House in Glasgow, the Trust aims to provide "leadership and focus in the protection, enhancement and development of Scotland's built environment"...
. Alongside Scottish Archaeology Month http://www.scottisharchaeologymonth.com, the open days form Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
's contribution to European Heritage Days
European Heritage Days
European Heritage Days is a joint action of the Council of Europe and the European Commission involving all 50 signatory states of the European Cultural Convention under the motto, Europe: a common heritage. The annual programme offers opportunities to visit buildings, monuments and sites, many of...
. This joint initiative between the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
and the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
aims to give people a greater understanding of each other through sharing and exploring cultural heritage. 49 countries across Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
take part annually, in September.
During Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
's year as European City of Culture in 1990, organisers ran an Open Doors event. Its popularity encouraged other areas to take part the following year and were coordinated by the Scottish Civic Trust
Scottish Civic Trust
The Scottish Civic Trust is a registered charity. Founded in 1967, and based in the Category A listed Tobacco Merchants House in Glasgow, the Trust aims to provide "leadership and focus in the protection, enhancement and development of Scotland's built environment"...
. Doors Open Days now take place throughout Scotland thanks to a dedicated team of area coordinators. These coordinators work for a mixture of organisations: local councils
Local government in the United Kingdom
The pattern of local government in England is complex, with the distribution of functions varying according to the local arrangements. Legislation concerning local government in England is decided by the Parliament and Government of the United Kingdom, because England does not have a devolved...
, civic trusts, heritage
Cultural heritage
Cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations...
organisations and archaeological trusts.
Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
is one of the few participating countries where events take place every weekend in September, with different areas choosing their own dates. More than 900 buildings now take part. In 2008, over 225,000 visits were made generating £2million for the Scottish economy. It is estimated that 5,000 or more volunteers give their time to run activities and open doors for members of the public.
Doors Open Days was supported in 2009 by Homecoming Scotland 2009, a year-long initiative that marked the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. It was funded by the Scottish Government and part financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. Its aim was to engage Scots at home as well as motivate people of Scottish descent and those who simply love Scotland, to take part in an inspirational celebration of Scottish culture and heritage. In 2009 Doors Open Days took place on Saturdays and Sundays; 5,6 / 12,13 / 19,20 / and 26,27 September throughout Scotland.
See also
- Brisbane Open HouseBrisbane Open HouseBrisbane Open House is an event held in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia that showcases many of the city's buildings to the public. Among the buildings included are historical landmarks, galleries, office buildings, places of worship and bridges...
- Doors Open CanadaDoors Open CanadaDoors Open Canada is a national program by Heritage Canada, based on the Doors Open Days concept. It aims to expose architecture and heritage through the exploration of hidden historical, architectural and cultural gems...
- Doors Open TorontoDoors Open TorontoDoors Open Toronto, now in its 12th year, has evolved into a weekend festival that is recognized as one of Toronto's greatest cultural events....
- Doors Open OttawaDoors Open OttawaDoors Open Ottawa is an annual event held in the City of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, that gives the public access to many of the city's unique and historically significant buildings. Among the buildings included are government offices, museums, radio stations, places of worship, embassies, and...
- Doors Open Newfoundland and LabradorDoors Open Newfoundland and LabradorDoors Open Newfoundland and Labrador is a program organized by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Newfoundland Historic Trust, based on the Doors Open Days concept....
- Doors Open Toronto
- Open House LondonOpen House LondonOpen House London is an organisation which promotes appreciation of architecture by the general public. It organises tours, lectures, educational projects for children and so on, but it is best known for Open House Weekend, a two-day event which takes place on one weekend each September throughout...
- openhousenewyorkOpenhousenewyorkopenhousenewyork is a non-profit cultural organization founded in 2001 in New York City, to promote awareness and appreciation of New York's architecture, design and cultural heritage through year-round, educational programs...
- Tourism in ScotlandTourism in ScotlandScotland is a well-developed tourist destination, with tourism generally being responsible for sustaining 200,000 jobs mainly in the service sector, with tourist spending averaging at £4bn per year. Tourists from the United Kingdom make up the bulk of visitors to Scotland...
Doors Open Days
- Doors Open Denver (Colorado, USA)
- Doors Open Lowell (Massachusetts, USA)