Public voting opens: 9am, Wednesday 24 June
Deadline: Midnight, Wednesday 29 July
To vote: http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/project/glasgow-2014-cultural-programme or Telephone: 0844 836 9707
#NLAwards
THE organisers behind the 2014 Commonwealth Games Cultural Programme are appealing for local votes as they strive for nationwide acclaim on BBC One in this year’s National Lottery Awards.
The Cultural Programme – which celebrated Scotland’s hosting of the XX Commonwealth Games and was the most ambitious and wide-reaching programme of national cultural activity that has ever taken place in the country, with audiences of over two million in theatre, music, exhibition, dance, poetry and film, and over 600,000 participants – beat off stiff competition from 620 organisations to reach the public voting stage in this year’s National Lottery Awards – the annual search for the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects.
12 projects took place across the Western Isles as part of the Cultural Programme, including Boomerang delivered by Active Events and Tumadh; Immersion, produced by An Lanntair (Dalziel+Scullion exhibition as part of GENERATION).
Boomerang was a spectacular show celebrating the indigenous cultures of Scotland, Australia and New Zealand. Featuring 21 artists including Breabach (Scotland), Moana and the Tribe, and Horomona Horo (New Zealand), Shellie Morris, Casey Donovan, Aaron Burarrwanga, and Djakapurra Munyarryun (Australia) the show featured vocalists, musicians and dancers who mixed the pipes with Haka dance, Maori vocals with Step dance and Aboriginal dance with Gaelic song. The show was performed at HebCelt Festival on Stornoway, Isle of Lewis in July 2014.
Lisa Whytock, of Active, said: “Boomerang was one of the most inspirational projects I have been involved within the 25 years that I have worked in music and the arts. It allowed three producers myself (active events) Rhoda Roberts (Sydney Opera House) and Enere Wano (Tihi ltd and Womad New Zealand) to deliver a dream.
“It allowed us to celebrate the cultural identities of each nation. By collectively looking at the ‘first languages and traditions;of Scotland Australia and New Zealand and working with some of the most respected musicians and dancers in each country , including Breabach, Moana and the Tribe, Shelley Morris and Casey Donovan – a show was presented which was both unique – and quite frankly bloody good!
“The musicians and producers involved are now firmly established in working relationships and are already hatching plots to not only represent this show, but work together in wider lasting relationships.
“The truth is that the award we received not only accessed awards in Australia and New Zealand which made the project possible, but more importantly has established massive working relationships between the three producers and all of the artists involved. Plans for multiple projects are now a result.”
Tumadh; Immersion was an exciting new commission from An Lanntair by Dundee-based artists Dalziel + Scullion where a gallery was turned into an immersive space created through sound and tactile qualities.
Direct reconnection to the environment, the earth and immersion in the strength and quiet intensity of natural forces are the starting point for this new work by Dalziel+Scullion whose practice explores the complex, and at times strained relationship, between mankind and the natural world.
Half of a two-part exhibition with Dovecot in Edinburgh, these themes are explored through works focused around the landscape, textile and bodily experience of the Isle of Lewis – reaching out from the Western Isles into the heart of the capital. The resulting works responded directly to the architectural and geographic contexts of both of these exhibition venues.
Elly Fletcher, chief executive, An Lanntair: “We are thrilled to hear that the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme has been nominated as a finalist in the National Lottery Good Causes Awards.
“Here at An Lanntair on the Isle of Lewis, we played a key part in this initiative through the GENERATION – 25 Years of Contemporary Art in Scotland Programme, during which we co-commissioned and hosted Dalziel+Scullion’s Immersion;Tumadh exhibition together with the Dovecot in Edinburgh.
“The exhibition was a wonderful opportunity to provide a platform for our long running relationship with these artists and their connections to the Outer Hebrides’ environment and landscape.
“Dalziel+Scullion transformed our Main Gallery, creating a truly immersive experience for the visitor through an evocative multimedia installation exploring urbanization. ‘Life on a cliff edge’, a specially commissioned score by Aiden o Rouke, accompanied the show, creating a powerful presence for the work and heightening the true sense of immersion felt by the audience.
“The exhibition was extremely well received and we were delighted to have had the opportunity to be part of the GENERATION programme here in the Outer Hebrides.”
To vote for the 2014 Commonwealth Games Cultural Programme, please go to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards or telephone 0844 836 9707 and follow the campaign on twitter: hashtag #NLAwards.
Voting runs for five weeks from 9am on Wednesday 24 June until midnight on Wednesday 29 July.
The programme is competing against six other organisations to be crowned the winner of the Arts category. Winners of the seven National Lottery Awards categories will get a £2,000 cash prize, an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy and attend a star-studded Awards ceremony, broadcast on BBC One in September.
Janice Kelly in capacity as portfolio manager for the 2014 Commonwealth Games Cultural Programme for Creative Scotland, said: “On behalf of all the projects which took place right across Scotland, I’m delighted that the 2014 Cultural Programme has reached the finals of The National Lottery Awards.
“Lottery money has really helped local communities throughout the country take part in a huge range of activity from grassroots workshops and learning opportunities, to large scale, spectacular and fun events, all inspired by the values and spirit of the Commonwealth Games.
“From the Highlands and Islands to the Borders, from east to west and in towns and villages in between, visitors and communities have come together for a unique experience.”
TV star and actor, John Barrowman, will be presenting the National Lottery Awards for the fifth time this year.
He said: “The exceptional work carried out by National Lottery Awards finalists never fails to astound me. Their work deserves to be celebrated nationally; the community spirit, social cohesion and compassion.
“It is crucial that you show your support for your local project so it can get the national glory that it richly deserves. National Lottery players should swell with pride that £34 million of Lottery funding is raised every single week for projects like this across the UK.”
The 2014 Cultural Programme consisted of two strands: the Scotland-wide programme of activity, Culture 2014 and the Games-time Glasgow-based Festival 2014.
This ambitious and accessible cultural celebration was developed through a unique collaboration between the performers and artists, communities across the country
Work was presented for the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme across all artforms, from the intimate to the spectacular, as well as ground-breaking nationwide projects such as GENERATION – the celebration of 25 years of contemporary art in Scotland, Big Big Sing and Get Scotland Dancing.
There are seven projects competing for votes across seven categories, reflecting the main areas of National Lottery funding: arts, sport, heritage, health, environment, education and voluntary/charity.
ENDS
For further information please contact: THE NATIONAL LOTTERY AWARDS
Sarah Myers
E: sarah.myers@lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
T: 0141 242 1414 / 07828 617962
CREATIVE SCOTLAND
Sophie Bambrough
E: sophie.bambrough@creativescotland.com
T: 0131 523 0015 / 07747606146
Notes to Editors
- Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme received £9.1m of National Lottery funding through Creative Scotland. Creative Scotland, Glasgow Life and the National Lottery Promotions Unit (NLPU) are coordinating the campaign.
- The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme was a partnership between the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, Glasgow Life and Creative Scotland through National Lottery funding. Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland
- Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme was Scotland’s biggest ever nationwide cultural celebration. Audiences of more than 2.1 million actively engaged with and enjoyed cultural activity throughout Scotland For further information about the Cultural Programme please visit; http://www.creativescotland.com/what-we-do/major-projects/national-projects/glasgow-2014
- If the Glasgow 2014 Cultural programme wins the Award in its category the £2,000 cash prize will be donated to UNICEF, the official charity partner of the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.
- Telephone voting calls cost 5p max (a connection charge may be applied by some networks. Please check with your provider.)
- All voting will be independently adjudicated and verified by Electoral Reform Services.
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