New project maps cultural connections in Perth & Kinross
AN exciting new project, mapping the cultural groups, venues, services and organisations across Perth & Kinross has just begun.
Voluntary Arts Scotland, Creative Scotland and Perth & Kinross Council have joined forces to see how easy it is for people to access cultural activity in their local area – and what provisions are there for them.
Taking place between March – June 2015, ‘Pathways: Getting connected in the voluntary arts’ will build a picture of the drama groups, knitting circles, choirs, meeting spaces, art clubs and opportunities to promote and share activity, transport, venues, funding and much more that Perth & Kinross has to offer.
Says Voluntary Arts Scotland director, Jemma Neville: “We think it’s important to understand how voluntary arts groups fit into the bigger picture in their communities and would like to know what spaces and venues they use or need, how they promote what they do, and who they rely on for support and training.
“We believe it should be easier for people to locate opportunities to ‘get creative’ in their local area and the information we gather could eventually form a searchable directory of voluntary arts activity in Scotland.”
Perth & Kinross has been chosen because the mix of rural and urban locations make it similar to Scotland as a whole – which will help inform how this project could be done on a national scale.
Adds a spokesperson for Perth & Kinross Council: “There is a rich and vibrant range of culture and arts activity happening everyday in communities across Perth and Kinross.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Voluntary Arts Scotland and Creative Scotland on this project which will help us all better understand what is happening locally and how we can help support this community activity in the future.”
And says Caroline Docherty, portfolio partnership manager, Creative Scotland: “Creative Scotland welcomes Voluntary Arts Scotland and Perth and Kinross Council’s decision to undertake this mapping exercise into the voluntary arts and crafts.
“We know that voluntary groups offer a vast range of opportunities for people to take part in culture but this research will deepen our knowledge of the local cultural ecology by providing detailed insights into the opportunities to ‘get creative’ in the Perth and Kinross area.”
Over the next few months, research consultants Kirkhill Associates will be contacting groups, cultural venues, community newsletters, art form umbrella bodies and local amenities across Perth & Kinross, to gather information on what they do, what challenges they face, and how they’re connected to the rest of the arts world.
They will be doing this through online and paper surveys, a dedicated website www.pathwaysvas.com, social media, interviews, and three free workshops, open to anyone involved in the amateur and voluntary arts, bookable via the website:
- Birnam Institute – Saturday 18 April, 3pm
- Perth Concert, Saturday 25 April, 11am
- Strathearn Artspace, Crieff, Saturday 25 April, 3.30pm
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- Voluntary Arts Scotland offers information, support and advice to cultural groups across the country. Along with the national bodies for different art forms, it also works with national and local government to ensure access to arts participation is as open and inclusive as possible. www.vascotland.org.uk @VAScotland www.facebook.com/VoluntaryArtsScotland #PathwaysVAS
- Perth and Kinross is the fourth largest geographical area in Scotland. In 2013 there were over 1.8m cultural attendances across Perth and Kinross and overall visitor satisfaction with cultural provision in Perth and Kinross is currently 92 per cent. The Council’s Cultural Strategy places tremendous cultural asset base at the heart of its ambition to make Perth and Kinross ‘one of Scotland’s best cultural locations to learn, to live, and to work and visit’. pkc.gov.uk @perthandkinross www.facebook.com/pages/Perth-Kinross-Council/182490198442055
- 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. It enables 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. It distributes funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. www.creativescotland.com. @creativescots www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland
- Kirkhill Associates is a Highland-based consultancy focusing on arts, heritage and culture. Recent clients have included: Campbeltown Picture House, Highland Hospice, and the Arts Council of Wales. Team members, Robert Livingston and Simon Noble, have also recently collaborated on a cultural strategy for the Scottish Borders, and on a review of the Mid Wales Circuit of theatres and arts centres.
For more information about ‘Pathways: Getting connected in the voluntary arts’, please contact Robert Livingston at Kirkhill Associates on tel: 07595 220299.
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Voluntary Arts Scotland contact details…
Contact: Kelly Donaldson
Phone: 07843056023
Email: kelly@vascotland.org.uk
Website: http://www.pathwaysvas.com
