Writer Ian Rankin today launched ‘See Us…’, (www.blipfoto.com/seeus) a new initiative that will encourage everyone to help tell the story of Scottish creativity in 2012.

Over the next three months, people from across Scotland, and the world, are encouraged to get creative and submit photographs and stories that sum up what Scottish creativity means to us, today. Part of the Year of Creative Scotland 2012 celebrations, See Us is a collaboration between Creative Scotland, Blipfoto, Young Scot and The Scotsman.

Blipfoto is an online journal, where anyone can post an image and description daily, or as often as suits them. The resulting photo-journal can be shared worldwide. The See Us project hopes to attract pictures and stories from hundreds if not thousands of people to build a picture of what a creative Scotland looks like in 2012.

All entries will be welcome, with the project aiming to include all areas of Scottish creativity – from high arts to everyday creative acts – whether it’s a scene from one of Scotland’s major festivals, a snapshot from a local event, or picture of your own creative life. The idea is to tell a story of Scottish creativity in pictures.

Speaking of See Us…Ian Rankin said: “Scotland is a country where past meets present and stories are hewn into the stone. We all have something to say, and now’s your chance.”

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Michael Russell MSP, who ‘blips’ daily and who will be on the judging panel, said: “Scotland has a strong and vibrant creative life and the `See Us’ project will provide a great platform to showcase that spirit through the experiences all of our people the length and breadth of the country.

“In this the Year of Creative Scotland 2012, I’d encourage as many people as possible to get involved and record what Scottish creativity means to them.’’

Joe Tree, Chief Executive, Blipfoto: “This is a huge opportunity to take a snapshot of every aspect of Scotland’s creativity, through the eyes of all its people. I’m thrilled that Blipfoto is playing such an important role in the project, and really excited about what we’re going to create.”

Kenneth Fowler of Creative Scotland said: “This initiative is a great opportunity for people from all walks of life to capture the role that creativity plays in their lives, whatever that may be. We want people to get involved and help us build a comprehensive picture of what our creative Scotland looks like in 2012.”

Louise Macdonald, Chief Executive of Young Scot said: “The Year of Creative Scotland is so much more than a strapline – it is the chance to showcase and celebrate the creative talents of our young people to a world-wide audience. We want the See Us campaign to give young Scots a way to tell their own story of what a creative Scotland truly means to them, through their own daily lives and experience, and we can’t wait to see what they come up with.”

Entries can be submitted through www.blipfoto.com/seeus and the site will remain open throughout the summer months.

Selected entries will then be curated for exhibition and publication in the autumn by a panel including leading author Ian Rankin, world renowned violinist Nicola Benedetti and the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell.

Source: Creative Scotland