New Challenges

WENDY SANDERS looks at the changes coming up in the structure of the Highland Council’s arts teams.

HIGHLAND 2007 – Scotland’s Year of Highland Culture – has brought with it a programme of high profile events, community funding opportunities, new festivals and programmes, but also change and uncertainty for Highland Council’s Arts Development and Heritage Officers.

With the abolition of the 8 areas we currently work within and the introduction of 3 new areas, the Council’s cultural staff are currently facing the sharp realities of restructuring and the changes and challenges it will bring.

I use the term ‘cultural staff’ as very soon the days of Highland Council Arts Development Officers will be over, and a new team of Cultural Officers and Assistant Cultural Officers will take their place. With this change in title comes a broadening of remit to include not only the full gambit of the arts but also heritage (eek! – what do I know about heritage I ask myself). So, for us 2007 truly is a year of cultural change.

In terms of geography the area to be known as Ross, Skye and Lochaber stretches from the tip of the Black Isle in the east, north to Achiltibuie and south through Skye and Lochalsh to Ardnamurchan covering some of the most remote communities in the Highlands.

Are there not several islands in there as well? This vast area, alongside new plans for Cultural Entitlements as outlined in the Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill, make these changes both exciting (new communities and new groups to build relationships with and a new landscape to explore) and challenging (how can it all be done in a meaningful way and within budget?).

This is perhaps one aspect of any future Entitlement Promises that needs very careful consideration, as promises must not be made and then broken

The introduction of Cultural Entitlements will help place more value on the importance of culture as part of everyday life as a key to improving the wellbeing of individuals and communities. For me, the chance to be involved in the design and delivery of such entitlements is a real opportunity.

However, the realities of how we might create a meaningful and workable model which builds upon existing provision, identifies need, addresses it and indeed works in such a remote and for the most part sparsely populated area, will need careful planning and consideration.

The Scottish Executive’s Cultural Pathfinder Programme is currently piloting projects which explore different approaches to cultural entitlement. Through this scheme Highland Council is piloting The Highland Promise – An Gealladh Mor, a pledge to young people in schools within the Highland Council area that every child in Highland schools will have access to a range of new cultural experiences during 2007.

Having been heavily involved in the development of the Highland Promise for all of Ross & Cromarty’s secondary and primary schools, I feel I have some insight into the complexities of what seemed on paper to be a relatively simple task.

A significant part of my workload for some time became offering support and advice to head teachers and trying to find ways of producing a high quality, meaningful and deliverable plan which would offer pupils new and exciting cultural opportunities.

I have to admit to having approached this part of my work with some trepidation, and my first meetings with each of the Associated Schools Groups’ head teachers were more nerve racking than I might have cared to admit at the time. Many of these initial meetings proved difficult, as expectations were unclear and there was a general feeling that this was yet another initiative that had been parachuted into their already busy schedules.

The other major issue was that The Promise was designed to provide new experiences. I very quickly became aware that most of the schools in Ross & Cromarty are exceptionally good at taking up opportunities offered by external providers on an ongoing basis, thus making it very difficult to access affordable new activity.

I have to admit to being genuinely surprised at the existing level of commitment to, and eagerness for, visiting specialists, ranging from RSPB-led walks to theatre performances and artist’s workshops. In many ways I wondered if, had schools recorded their ‘normal’ timetable of cultural activities, they wouldn’t have ended up with a cultural pledge worthy of commendation.

So, as far as I can see, in many ways what The Promise has done is to formalise and record the high level of varied cultural input that most schools already organise. I certainly have been left with no doubt as to their keenness to engage with a wide range of groups and organisations offering them experiences which will enhance formal education and bring new dimensions to learning.

So as 2007 began, working with a very limited budget of only 20k per schools group, all the schools in my area have embarked on their own tailor made Highland Promises which should reflect the interests and aspirations of their pupils.

This will make 2007 a year for pupils to experience something new and exciting which will leave them with positive memories and perhaps even the legacy of ongoing involvement in a new pastime. I consider this to be no mean feat, when many of the truly new and exciting opportunities on offer from, for example, National Companies or organisations, have proved to be simply too expensive within such a limited budget.

This is perhaps one aspect of any future Entitlement Promises that needs very careful consideration, as promises must not be made and then broken.

The dedication of school staff in Ross & Cromarty has meant many of the proposed projects are quite ambitious, and because of their cost have necessitated the need for a search for additional external funding. The willingness of schools to undertake this extra work once again demonstrates the commitment of many to deliver experiences beyond the call of duty.

Many activities and projects have been planned, but as Arts Officer I can’t help but be excited by the following proposals: Environmental Art workshops in Slattadale woods in Wester Ross which will be used as a study resource for all the Gairloch group schools; the Fortrose Academy group stained glass project involving all schools in the area in residencies with a local glass artist; the Alness Academy Group artists in residencies with a textile artist to produce banners for each of their schools. These are of course just a few of very very many.

So in conclusion, there are definitely many challenges to come and with them no doubt moments of frustration as well as elation. What the rest of 2007 brings for us as a cultural team remains to be seen. But the enthusiasm, hard work and determination of those who are really ensuring The Highland Promise makes a valuable and lasting contribution in schools throughout Highland, are the dedicated head teachers and staff who are making it happen.

© Wendy Sanders, 2007