CREATIVE Scotland, the Baring Foundation and Age Scotland are delighted to announce that ‘Luminate’ has been selected as the name for Scotland’s brand new national festival that will celebrate arts, creativity and ageing.
Taking place in October 2012 the festival will showcase the arts, creativity and ageing in a diverse and large-scale celebration of older artists, performers and participants across the generations.
The festival is part of Creative Scotland’s drive to increase the numbers of older people enjoying high quality arts activities, whether as artists, performers, participants or consumers, as research has shown that older people are less likely than other groups to take part in cultural activities.
‘Luminate’ was chosen from over 20 names suggested by the general public and creative and care industry insiders following a call for submissions made by newly-appointed festival director, Anne Gallacher, at the beginning of April.
At the time, Gallacher said: “As this festival is new, we’re looking for an inspirational name for it and wanted to ask the public to contribute with their ideas. This festival is all about the people of Scotland enjoying opportunities to be more creative as a natural part of ageing, so it’s important to ask them for their input.”
After careful consideration by representatives of the three Festival partners, Creative Scotland, the Baring Foundation and AgeScotland, Gallacher is delighted to announce the name, saying: “’Luminate’ clearly expresses a sense of light and energy and reflects the feeling of optimism and anticipation that we are looking to achieve in our Festival programming.”
In July, Gallacher will announce programme highlights, followed by full programme details in September. For updates, visit: www.creativescotland.com
In the meantime, she explains more about programming the first festival of its kind in Scotland: “The programme for ‘Luminate’ is taking shape, and I am looking forward to an exciting month of events and activities across Scotland this October.
“’Luminate’ will feature a wide range of projects aimed at older people as participants or audience members, activities that bring the generations together, work by older professional artists, creative activities with people being cared for in residential homes and in their local community, and work which explores what it means to all of us that society is ageing.”
Gallacher goes on to describe how organisations and groups can apply to take part: “We want as many people as possible to take part, and I would like to invite any organisations, groups and artists who would like their work to be featured in the festival to apply for inclusion in our brochure.
“Details of how to apply will be available on the Creative Scotland website shortly, or you can register your interest by emailing luminate@agescotland.org.uk.”
Iain Munro, director of Creative Development at Creative Scotland, said: “’Luminate’ is a fantastic name for this exciting new addition to Scotland’s festival calendar – it will bring a spotlight directly on to our amazing range of artists and onto the benefit that a rich creative life can bring, whether you’re aged nine – or 90!”
Learning from existing festival models including Bealtaine in Ireland and Gwanwyn in Wales, ‘Luminate’ will bring social, economic and health benefits to older people and the wider community, and will encourage intergenerational connections.
Katie Docherty of Age Scotland, said: “We believe this to be a positive development that in the longer term will have a major impact on Scotland’s older population and their involvement in and appreciation of the arts.
“In the recent past, the emphasis appears to have been mainly on the younger artist, perhaps contributing to a bit of a cultural vacuum as far as older artists and those in later life who appreciate and enjoy the arts are concerned.
“We are confident that this festival will address concerns in this regard and result in improved intergenerational co-operation to the benefit of all of Scotland’s communities.”
Listings:
What: Luminate: Scotland’s creative ageing festival
When: throughout October 2012
Where: venues across Scotland
Further information and updates: www.creativescotland.com
For further press information or images please contact:
Wendy Grannon T: +44 (0) 07916 137 632 E: wendy@wendygrannon.co.uk
Notes to Editors
1. Luminate: Scotland’s creative ageing festival is an initiative of Creative Scotland and The Baring Foundation and is being developed and delivered in partnership with Age Scotland. The inaugural festival will take place throughout Scotland during October 2012. Details of how to apply will be available on the Creative Scotland website shortly. In the meantime, individuals and organisations can register interest by emailing luminate@agescotland.org.uk For updates and further information: www.creativescotland.com
2. Creative Scotland is the national development agency for the arts, screen and creative industries. Our vision is that Scotland will be recognised as one of the world’s most creative nations – one that attracts, develops and retains talent, where the arts and the creative industries are supported and celebrated and their economic contribution fully captured; a nation where the arts and creativity play a central part in the lives, education and well-being of our population
The Year of Creative Scotland began on January 1, 2012 and is a chance to showcase, celebrate and promote Scotland’s cultural and creative strengths. Through a dynamic and exciting year-long programme of activity celebrating our world-class events, festivals, culture and heritage, the year puts Scotland’s culture and creativity in the international spotlight with a focus on cultural tourism and developing the events industry and creative sector in Scotland. More information about the programme can be found at: www.visitscotland.com/creative. The Year of Creative Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative led in partnership by EventScotland, VisitScotland, Creative Scotland and VOCAL.
Creative Scotland has created a programme that shows Scotland’s creativity at its best: contemporary, international and reflecting the joy that a vibrant cultural life brings to our communities.
More details can be found here: http://www.creativescotland.com/investment/investment-programmes/national-events-201214
3. The Baring Foundation is a London-based independent funder. Founded in 1969, it has given over £100 million since then to support the voluntary sector to tackle discrimination and disadvantage. In 2010, the Foundation launched a five-year, £3 million UK-wide fund for arts by older people, following on the publication of a survey of the field, Ageing Artfully. So far, 44 arts organisations have been funded from the Isle of Lewis to Cornwall, along with a series of strategic interventions of which, Luminate, is the most significant.
4. Age Scotland has a positive, forward looking vision for our ageing society. The charity works for a better later life for all of us – today and tomorrow, listening to older people in order to understand what they need to transform their lives for the better, challenging disadvantage and unfairness.
Age Scotland values older people and believes they have the power to change their lives for the better. Community by community, life by life, the charity is working towards a Scotland where older people are valued and respected for who they are.
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Creative Scotland. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Wendy Grannon
Phone: 07916 137 632
Email: wendy@wendygrannon.co.uk
Website: http://www.creativescotland.com
