Aberdeen University has announced plans to close Marischal College East within the next 18 months as part of its “Reimagining our Campuses” project.
This closure will affect several local arts organisations currently occupying the section of the building known as The Anatomy Rooms, including Citymoves Dance Agency, All In Ideas, and Arkade Studios.
Citymoves Dance Agency currently operate out of three main spaces in the building, and run professional classes, residencies and workshops, as well as working in partnership with schools, care homes and community groups to deliver a range of projects and activities. They will continue to operate from The Anatomy Rooms until March 2026.
The Anatomy Rooms opened in early 2016, and was founded by All In Ideas, an artist-led Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation which was itself formed to address the lack of affordable studio and working space in Aberdeen.
The venue was repurposed as a multi-art form event and studio space, and has since been a corner of creativity in the city, hosting art exhibitions and performances, and offering a space for artists to collaborate and showcase their work.
All In Ideas have confirmed they will continue to operate from the building until their lease ends in late September 2025.
In a post to Instagram, they said: “All In Ideas SCIO has loved supporting artists for over nine years since launching The Anatomy Rooms in 2016 and is honoured to have become part of many special partnerships across this time and we cannot wait to continue to create happy memories here in the time to come.”
The decision to close the building comes as part of Aberdeen University’s efforts to align with its ‘Aberdeen 2040 strategy’. A University spokesperson explained:
“Our use of space is a key focus together with the properties we no longer need and we have decided that Marischal East – at the rear of Marischal College – is not suitable for modern teaching and research and is now no longer required.
“We are in contact with Aberdeen City Council and other occupants of the building to ensure they are aware of our plans.”
The move is aimed at creating more efficient and sustainable use of space, with plans to relocate the University’s collections currently stored there to the King’s College Campus.
The University’s spokesperson outlined their vision for the future:
“We are seeking an appropriate occupier on a long-leasehold basis to secure the long-term viability of Marischal East and its role in the city of Aberdeen.”
This decision is part of a broader strategy to develop more inviting spaces for students, staff, and external communities, create labs aligned with research priorities, and build stronger links with industry.
While the University aims to optimise its resources and modernise its facilities, the local arts community faces the challenge of adapting to these changes and finding new spaces to continue their valuable contributions to Aberdeen’s cultural scene.
