That’s the view of Chris Terris, general manager of Visit Helensburgh, and John Grant, director of ArtsQwest, who are spearheading the Tower’s arts and digital academy, in the Burgh’s former St Columba Church.

The project received a major boost this week following the announcement a last-minute funding bid to base a Youth Arts Hub in Argyll had been successful.

ArtsQwest – based at the Tower – is now set to pair up with up with Comar in Mull, Cove Park, Dunoon Burgh Halls, Artmap Argyll, the Touring Network, Argyll College, Argyll and Bute Council, and CNTV to lead the local hub network.

Speaking to the Advertiser on Monday, Mr Grant said: “This is a excellent news. It is all happening at once and we have big plans. This project will enable artists and organisations to work together to ensure that young people have access to the arts.

“It will introduce youngsters to other people with the same interests and also allow them to experience new art forms and build their skills – they will be able to do and try whatever they want.” Progress can already be seen at the Tower, with a new stage erected and decorating well under way.

The recently-acquired premises will soon be furnished with computer suites for teaching digital technologies, and, as well as hosting a number of concerts, the organisers are looking forward to ‘throwing open the doors’ to bands, community groups, and organisations who require a venue for events or rehearsals.

Mr Terris added that although the hub is in its infancy – with bidders putting together their pitch in just weeks – digital technology will be key to linking youngsters over Argyll’s large geographical area.

He said: “This will create a network of youth arts. URTV has already launched a broadband TV channel to coincide with this for kids to share art forms with other people from all over the area.” The pair said aside from talking tactics with their partners, one of the first main steps will be to find out what children and teenagers want. A session will soon be held to determine this, and it is thought it will be steamed across Argyll to maximise participation.

The funds for the hub were made available to Creative Scotland following a £3.1m government shortfall in funding from the Forth Road Bridge project.

As part of the National Youth Arts Strategy, eight other Youth Arts Hubs were also created in: Aberdeen and North East, Ayrshire, Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow, Highlands, Moray, and West Dunbartonshire.

The aim of the hubs is to act as a focal point for regional youth arts delivery.

Leonie Bell, director of Arts and Engagement at Creative Scotland, said: “Through making connections and developing new projects these hubs will enable more children and young people to take part in creative activities close to where they live.

“These hubs will not only create opportunities for young people to shine and express themselves creatively; but also by placing them at the heart of the creation and delivery of the new work, the young people will develop skills and expertise which will be invaluable to their futures.”