Gaelic Arts reach new heights
23/01/2003
In a paper due to be presented to Council next week (Tuesday 28 February), the Scottish Arts Council reports an increased investment of 156% in Gaelic arts. This brings the Scottish Arts Council investment in Gaelic arts projects to £4 million over 8 years, with an additional £4.5 million towards building dedicated art centres. The new draft Gaelic policy reflects on the significant developments within Gaelic arts activity as well as exploring new ways to enhance the use of the language, and is a result of consultation and discussions between representatives of the Gaelic arts sector and Scottish Arts Council officers. It highlights the value of Gaelic arts as an influential part of arts and cultural activity both within and outwith the country.
Professor Donald Meek, members of the ministerial advisory group on Gaelic and Lecturer, University of Edinburgh commented, ‘We are delighted that the Scottish Arts Council are taking a lead in this area and believe that the policy will both enhance and build on the use of the Gaelic. It is a timely and important affirmation of the Scottish Art Council’s commitment to Gaelic and the value of the language and culture.'
Jim Tough, Head of Strategic Development and lead officer for the policy, said, ‘The Scottish Arts Council recognises that the Gaelic language not only needs to be sustained but also developed as an active, creative language. We believe that the arts have an essential role to play in this process. Gaelic is an important part of Scotland’s cultural diversity, attracting international interest and this policy gives us an opportunity to put Gaelic language issues into the context of current policy’.
As detailed in the report, the Scottish Arts Council has not only increased investment but has given core funding status to a number of key Gaelic arts organisations. Research has shown this investment has been almost doubled through funds from other public bodies.
Throughout 2002 the Scottish Arts Council supported a number of Gaelic music initiatives. These included funding Macmeanmna, the Gaelic music label, to develop new ways of marketing both on a domestic and international market. The Scottish Arts Council also took one of the Celtic Connection shows on tour for the very first time. This saw five Gaels and five Scots women coming together under the title of ‘Scottish Women’ to tour throughout Scotland. The Scottish Arts Council also worked alongside the Highland Council and Fèisean na Gàidheal to support a Gaelic song development worker. The postholder will promote Gaelic song by encouraging new song writing, enabling new recordings and acting as a reference point for those looking for new songs.
A selection of other projects which recognise the unique significance Gaelic Arts bring to Scotland’s cultural heritage and which the Scottish Arts Council currently supports appears below.
Notes to editors
- The Scottish Arts Council champions and sustains the arts for Scotland, investing £56 million from Scottish Executive and National Lottery funding to support and develop artistic excellence and creativity throughout Scotland. Further information is available on our website: www.scottisharts.org.uk.
- For advance copies of the Gaelic Arts Policy, please contact the Media Office.
- For contact details of any of the Gaelic arts organisations listed below please contact the Media Office.
- Proiseact nan Ealan – the Gaelic Arts Agency - Proiseact nan Ealan was founded in 1996, and receives funding from a variety of agencies including the Scottish Arts Council. The agency is responsible for designing, developing and piloting new Gaelic arts initiatives. Working with artists, arts organisations and the community, Proiseact nan Ealan aims to generate high quality Gaelic arts events and training opportunities.
- Fèisean nan Gàidheal - Fèisean nan Gàidheal is the umbrella body of the community based Fèisean movement. Founded in Barra in 1981, the Fèisean are designed to provide opportunities for young people to learn more about the artistic traditions of their communities. Fèisean nan Gàidheal provides funding and training opportunities for each of the self-supporting and self-governing feisean.
- Gaelic Books Council - The Gaelic Books Council has been supporting and stimulating Gaelic publishing since it was established in 1968, and for some twenty years the Scottish Arts Council has been its main funding body . In 1996 it became a free-standing organisation, with its own bookshop of all Gaelic and Gaelic-related titles in print. A survey it commissioned indicated that there were significant opportunities for audience development, and with Scottish Arts Council Lottery funding it set up a book club which has been a notable success, with over 1,400 individuals and 60 schools currently members. The Council also grant-aids individual titles, commissions books from authors and provides an editorial service.
- Gaelic Literature - Through grants to individual writers, storytellers and agencies like the Gaelic Books Council, the Scottish Arts Council seeks to invest in Gaelic writing and publishing. This is done through the funding of writers’ bursaries, Writing Fellowships, and Book Awards. Gaelic writers also receive support from many of the Literature organizations core-funded by the Scottish Arts Council. These include the Scottish Book Trust, the Scottish Poetry Library, the Scottish Storytelling Centre, and the Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre.
- TOSG - TOSG’s remit is to develop Gaelic theatre and to perform in the Gàidhealtachd and other areas of Scotland where there are Gaelic speakers and learners. In collaboration with the Irish language theatre group Sin Teo, TOSG run a summer school where young Gaelic-speaking performers can develop their skills.
- Sabhal Mòr Ostaig - Sabhal Mòr Ostaig was supported through the Millennium Commission. The college runs courses on Gaelic language and culture. There are proposals underway for new developments including an artists studio, sound recording facilities and a large scale environmental arts project. The Scottish Arts Council has provided funding for a writer in residence, and musician in residence to teach small classes of students specific skills in relation to the Gaelic culture.
Contact email(s)
media.office@scottisharts.org.uk
Issued by: Scottish Arts Council
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