NVA (arts organisation)

NVA was a Scottish visual arts performance company, renowned for creating large-scale, site-specific public artworks and performances, often in dramatic landscapes. Founded in 1992 by Angus Farquhar, NVA (originally standing for "Neutral Vegetable Activity") operated for over two decades, becoming a significant force in the development of environmental art and outdoor arts practice in Scotland and internationally.

NVA's work was characterized by its ambition, scale, and engagement with challenging environments. They frequently collaborated with a wide range of artists, engineers, and communities to create immersive and transformative experiences for audiences. Their projects often explored themes of landscape, identity, history, and memory, and aimed to connect people with the natural world in new and meaningful ways.

Notable NVA projects included "The Storr: Unfolding Landscape" (2015-2016), a sound and light installation on the Isle of Skye, and "Speed of Light" (2012), a mass participation light performance in Edinburgh. Other significant works involved industrial sites, quarries, and other unconventional locations, often transforming derelict or overlooked spaces into temporary sites for art and performance.

NVA ceased operations in 2017. Despite its relatively short lifespan, its impact on the Scottish and international arts scene is significant, inspiring many artists and organisations working in the field of environmental art and site-specific performance. Its legacy continues to be felt through its influence on subsequent generations of artists and the ongoing discussion around the role of art in public space and environmental engagement.