News from the Outer Hebrides

MEG RODGER assesses the state of play in the Western Isles as their new Cultural Strategy is launched.

I HAVE recently returned from my bi-annual visit to the Scottish Arts Council Local Authority Arts Officers conference at the CCA in Glasgow last month, where we spent the day discussing the scary prospect of developing cultural entitlements and resolved by the end of the day that, yes, it was still a rather daunting prospect!

However, it is always good to attend such events and wave the banner for the Independent Republic of the Outer Hebrides. I presented the map of our islands referencing all the challenges we had on our plate – depopulation, ageing communities, fragile economy – but it was also a great opportunity to promote our achievements, the richness of our culture, the significance of our natural environment to the creative process and the value and commitment of the volunteers who make so much of our cultural activity possible.

In spite of force 9, gusting force 11 gales – we are still hanging on in here and achieving great things together.

Did you know that the gestation period of an elephant is 22 months? Gee, what a thought – well, we hope that is where the similarities between the Outer Hebrides Cultural Strategy and the production of baby elephants ends. At last we have launched the Outer Hebrides Cultural Strategy at the Heritage and Arts event at An Lanntair in Stornoway in November.

The Strategy makes a commitment to developing cultural entitlements and responds to the objectives within ‘Scotland’s Culture’, the Scottish Executive’s response to the Cultural Review

The event was attended by around 60 delegates from heritage, arts and Gaelic organisations. One of the main achievements of the event was to establish a Community Cultural Network which will be open and accessible to all organisations that work under the banner of culture in the Outer Hebrides. Given that so much of our arts, heritage and language are so intertwined it is a very practical step and will assist in the sharing of information and resources across the sector.

The Cultural Strategy focuses on four aspects of culture in the Outer Hebrides: language, heritage, arts and creative industries. These four areas are inextricably linked and work together for mutual benefit. The Strategy also works across and with other sectors such as sports, environment, education etc.

These themes link into key detailed strategies covering Gaelic language, heritage, arts, creative industries and tourism each with their own linking action plan. Some of these documents have been developed alongside the Cultural Strategy and have assisted in its evolution while others are currently under development or will be developing, linking into the aims and objectives of the Strategy. The Strategy makes a commitment to developing cultural entitlements and responds to the objectives within ‘Scotland’s Culture’, the Scottish Executive’s response to the Cultural Review.

A copy of the Cultural Strategy can be down-loaded below or requested from myself (contact details below).
 

News from the front lines …

An Lanntair completed its first year in the new building in October and is now established as a major venue. Despite having to negotiate and navigate around the usual financial, operational and snagging issues in a new build, the opening programme was crammed with high-quality visual arts such as the Sharmanka, Tim Stead and Gus Wylie retrospectives.

The auditorium, which is running at 85% capacity on available programming days, catered for a huge range of performing arts and cinema. From Lewis Women and the National Mod to Scottish Opera, from Guitars 3 to Skateboarding movies to the National Theatre of Scotland … and so on.

The BT National Gaelic Schools debate has been there twice already, and new developments proceed apace. A second stage was opened up for the Hebridean Celtic Festival and Faclan, the first Hebridean Book Festival, exceeded all expectations. Education and Outreach programmes such as the Saturday Art Club, DijiDance and Catching Motion put spokes on the creative hub.

Strategically, according to Director Roddy Murray, the emphasis is changing. ‘We become a Foundation organisation in 2007 and are mindful of our direction being consistent with national policies. Gaelic arts for example are critical to our identity, status and potential. We have obligations and responsibilities there. I also think that with the delivery of the venue we achieved a key target in provision for audiences, visitors and participants. The consumers, if you will.

“The next development phase for us, is in what SAC refer to as ‘support for artists’ – and that’s about producers. Those who make the art. In particular we hope to facilitate artists’ studios in partnership with WASPS, and also look at residential possibilities. Crafts are another key area in this respect. I’m optimistic that we can make significant progress on that over the next 2-3 years.” 

The Hebridean Celtic Festival 2006 once more built on this festival’s fantastic reputation as one of the most friendly and community orientated events. Events centred in the big blue tent set against the stunning backdrop of Stornoway’s castle grounds, but also covered 14 venues around Lewis and Harris.

Headliners included the Levellers, Afro Celt Sound System and Hothouse Flowers but equally fabulous were the host of newcomers to the island stage such as Quebecois act Mauvais Sort and Californian based old time band The Crooked Jades, to name but a couple.

Island traditions were represented by An Lanntair’s project ‘Lewis Women’ featuring Mary Smith, Alyth McCormack, Anna Murray and Mackenzie. Other Gaelic artists included Julie Fowlis and Dòchas who took the main stage by storm on the final night.

Ceòlas 2006 reached a new high to celebrate its 10th Anniversary with Radio nan Gaidheal broadcasting live from Ceòlas on three days. A TV documentary was also filmed, which is due to be broadcast in early 2007 for the launch of the Gaelic Digital TV Station.

Ceòlas 2007 is already attracting bookings from as far apart as Skye and California and whilst the line up is not yet complete, Iain MacDonald has booked singers Cathy Ann MacPhee, Rona Lightfoot and Donnie Murdo Macleod. Harvey Beaton is coming from Cape Breton for step dancing, and he will be supported by Katy Shaw, with another tutor to be confirmed.

John MacLean from Cape Breton will be teaching Piping. In addition, Ceòlas 2007 has been successful in attracting an additional two years funding from the Balnain Trust – 2 young people from Inverness to apply.

In 2007, Ceòlas is also offering a conference on the Life and Work of Margaret Fay Shaw following the Ceòlas week (8-11 July – watch the Ceòlas website for further details). 

Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum & Arts Centre will proceed in the New Year with an exciting new studio extension which will help to fulfil its aims in creating a centre of excellence in environmental art, enabling more artist residencies, summer schools and new media projects.

Currently there is a major exhibition with the artist Ettie Spencer featuring installations both within the centre and in the land and seascapes. ‘Changing Places’ explores themes of displacement and migration, and also utilises the eSCAPE telescope project. The exhibition runs till the 13 January 2007.

Next year highlights will include an Andy Goldsworthy exhibition and the 2007 Art is the Map project.

The Harris Arts Festival 2006 held its weekly events throughout the summer from May to September. These included slide shows with stories and songs on topics relating to the histories and folklore of Harris and St Kilda. At the beginning of August the Harris Arts Festival week took place around the island from venues in Tarbert to St Clement’s Church at Rodel. The events included street theatre, a poetry competition for children, concerts with Ishbel MacAskill, Margaret Stewart and Jenna Cumming as well as many other performers.

Highland 2007 in the Outer Hebrides…

The Outer Hebrides are now gearing up to take part in Highland 2007. We are clarifying final details, be we anticipate that there will be around 30 events through out the islands, from the Butt to Barra.

As a taster of what is to come, as part of the Highland 2007 launch on the 12 January, Comunn Eachdraidh Bhearnaraigh will be welcoming in the Old New Year. The island of Berneray, North Uist, is the last place in Scotland where the traditional Gaelic New Year (Sean Bliadhn’ Ur) is still celebrated on the Friday nearest to 12 January.

Comunn Eachdraidh Bhearnaraigh will produce a film record of the Challuin celebration in 2007, including reminiscences by older members of the community of Challuin celebrations in years gone by. The Challuin night will feature a party of children and adults in traditional costumes, visiting island houses to recite the traditional rhymes. They also plan to organise a traditional ceilidh/dance, and when production work on the film is complete they will organise a launch event to include a ‘premiere’ of the film and a small photographic exhibition.

One of the international highlights in the year will be Proiseact nan Ealan’s ‘St.Kilda: An Evocation’ which will take place on 22-23 June 2007. The St Kilda Project is inspired by the lives of the people of those islands and is a cross-media, music-theatre and film production involving live performance and pre-recorded film projections. It is a major international co-production performed simultaneously in five European venues, all linked by live satellite connection to St Kilda. Detailed information on this wonderful and ground-breaking event can be found at: www.gaelic-arts.com

Information on all events taking place as part of the Highland 2007 celebrations in the Outer Hebrides can be found at: www.highland2007.com

For further information or a copy of the Outer Hebrides Cultural Strategy please contact Meg Rodger, Arts Development Officer, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (T: 01870 602 425, m.rodger@cne-siar.gov.uk )

© Meg Rodger, 2006