Celebrating 25 Years of Partnership: Out of the Blue and SIS
12 Dec 2025
- Edinburgh and Lothians
- Arts
- Culture
- About SIS
- Impact
As Social Investment Scotland (SIS) marks its 25th anniversary, we are reflecting on the relationships that have shaped our journey and the organisations that continue to inspire us. One example that captures the power of collaboration and shared purpose is our long-standing relationship with Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust.
Founded in 1994, Out of the Blue has become a cornerstone of Edinburgh’s creative landscape. Through a network of spaces across the city, the organisation provides affordable studios and venues for artists, makers, and community groups, transforming underused buildings into vibrant hubs of creativity and social impact.
In the early 2000s, Out of the Blue faced a defining moment. Their rented premises were to be redeveloped, and the team envisioned a permanent home where their creative community could thrive. After facing challenges accessing funding from traditional banks, they turned to a new kind of lender - Social Investment Scotland, then in the very infancy of its own journey.
Chief Executive, Rob Hoon remembers those early conversations clearly:
“We were introduced to Social Investment Scotland. They understood our social impact and came in with a loan that allowed us to buy the Drill Hall in Leith. That initial £200,000 loan was everything for Out of the Blue.”
That first investment unlocked further funding, enabling the purchase and transformation of the historic Drill Hall, a project that became the foundation for Out of the Blue’s continued growth and innovation.
Over the past two decades, Out of the Blue has expanded to operate multiple creative spaces, each designed to bring people together and nurture opportunity. Throughout this growth, the relationship between SIS and Out of the Blue has remained rooted in trust, flexibility, and a shared commitment to social enterprise.
As Rob reflects:
“With over 20 years of working with the SIS team, we have always had that element of support, which has been crucial to our development. SIS are enablers - they have provided the finance we have needed to create and continue to grow.”
From that first loan to today, Out of the Blue exemplifies what’s possible when social investment empowers ambition and community vision. We are proud to have been part of their journey from the very beginning, and we continue to support their work as they create spaces that inspire, connect, and deliver lasting social impact.
🎥 Watch our conversation with Rob Hoon, Chief Executive of Out of the Blue, as he reflects on 25 years of collaboration and the role social investment has played in their success.
“With over 20 years of working with the SIS team, we have always had that element of support, which has been crucial to our development. SIS are enablers - they have provided the finance we have needed to create and continue to grow.”
Rob Hoon
Chief Executive, Out of the Blue