We are delighted to announce the development of the Anthea Bond Exhibition Room at Edinburgh Futures Institute, made possible by a generous gift from University of Edinburgh alumna Anthea Bond.
Anthea Bond studied dentistry at the College of Medicine and enjoys exploring her own art practice and creative expression. Anthea has made this donation for a much-needed exhibition space at the Futures Institute to mark a milestone birthday, after years of giving in support of medical scholarships at the University.
Located in Room 1.00, Level 1 of the Futures Institute building, this dedicated exhibition space aims to showcase a curated interdisciplinary programme of student, community, and research-inspired exhibitions that explores our relationship to technology and futures with the well-being of humanity and society at its heart.
We also aim to host creative and community engagement activities, artists-in-residence, and innovative collaboration projects in this new space.
Regular programming of exhibitions in the Anthea Bond Exhibition Room is anticipated to start in 2026, to be managed by Futures Institute’s Culture and Community team, led by Creative Projects Manager, Jennifer Williams.
Summer 2025 pop-up exhibitions
While construction takes place, a series of exciting pop-up exhibitions will activate the Anthea Bond Exhibition Room in Summer 2025.
The first exhibition, Draped Dimensions: Shanghai International College of Fashion and Innovation ran from 30 May to 2 July 2025.
This exhibition showcased a range of student designs on paper and video from The Joint Institute, Shanghai International College of Fashion and Innovation (SCF) based at Donghua University.
The SCF was founded in 2014 with the aim of strengthening existing relationships between University of Edinburgh and Donghua University. The SCF students who organised the Draped Dimensions exhibit are taking up Fashion and Interior Design at Edinburgh College of Art, as part of the completion of their programmes in Fashion Innovation and Fashion Interior Design in Donghua University.
The exhibition featured photographs, documentary portfolios and films showcasing innovative fashion and interior design from these programmes.
Upcoming pop-up exhibitions to be showcased at the Anthea Bond room include:
- BridgING – Intersections: MA Interior, Architectural & Spatial Design (IASD), 9 – 29 July 2025
Through the MA IASD programme at The University of Edinburgh, international students have developed speculative interior and spatial design projects reimagining George IV Bridge, its buildings, and the hidden vaults below. To share these visions, a performative exhibition, or ‘festival,’ will unfold across Edinburgh through temporary interventions and pop-up micro-events, including at the Anthea Bond Exhibition Room at Edinburgh Futures Institute. These events will guide the public through the spatial experience and showcase work-in-progress outputs.
Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF) exhibitions, August 2025
Last year, through the Words from the Wards project, a collaboration between Edinburgh Futures Institute and EIBF, we asked the people of Edinburgh to share stories about the Old Royal Infirmary, to honour the experiences and memories that people connect with the building’s previous life. Following the success of the project, we worked with Edinburgh College of Art students to illustrate the collected stories. This exhibition will showcase the stories and illustrations from the Words from the Wards project.
Young people from the Alternative School at Spartans Community Foundation are back at the Book Festival for the third year, with their brand-new exhibition, Spark. The University of Edinburgh’s Writer in Residence, Owen Sutcliffe, has been working with young people to spark their imaginations, ask big questions and get their creative juices flowing. This exhibition will showcase young people’s funny, provocative and sparky creative work.
Edinburgh Futures Institute Creative Projects Manager, Jennifer Williams, said:
“The development of the Anthea Bond Exhibition Room supports the goals of the Institute to drive innovation and to foster creative connection and learning within the University and our community. We hope this will become a destination space within the building, University and city for those who are curious about art, data, creativity, technology and how we can work together to explore possible futures and inspire positive change in the present.”
Edinburgh Futures Institute Senior Philanthropy Officer, Felicia Murray, said:
Subscribe to our mailing list and be the first to hear about opportunities, news, and events.“The generosity of individuals like Anthea is what makes projects and community spaces like this exhibition space not just possible, but truly meaningful. This inspired use of a personal milestone shows how Anthea leads with heart and purpose, by creating something truly lasting for our community. We are grateful for Anthea’s generosity, collaborative vision, and her commitment to enriching the University community for years to come.”
