Calling artists and makers in the Scottish Borders
Monday, June 29 2009
A new awards scheme for artists and craft makers in the Scottish Borders will be launched on Friday (3 July) along with a new network to support the creative arts sector in the region.
The event will take place at Tower Mill, Hawick, and all creative arts businesses in the Scottish Borders are invited to attend.
The new awards scheme is run by Scottish Borders Council (SBC) Arts Development, in partnership with the Scottish Arts Council, and is similar to successful schemes run by other local authorities in Scotland which have made a significant impact on the creative development of artists’ and makers’ work.
The scheme will be administered by a new project in the Scottish Borders – Creative Arts Business Network (CABN) which is funded by Arts Development and LEADER.
Mary Morrison, Project Manager of CABN, said: “This awards scheme is a first for the Scottish Borders, and is aimed at giving visual artists and makers an opportunity to develop their creative practice. The application process is very straightforward, and grants are available of £75-£1000.”
Examples of the areas where artists and makers can apply for funding are:
- Research and development costs for a new project
- Travel and subsistence costs to enable attendance at symposiums and masterclasses
- Costs of preparing exhibitions
- Advancing skills and developing ideas
- Purchase of equipment and time in the studio to work on a new project.
There will be two funding events throughout 2009-2010, with the first deadline 4 September, and the second early in 2010.
As well as launching the awards, the event on 3 July will be a chance to find out more about the new Creative Arts Business Network, based in Heart of Hawick.
CABN will be working closely with key partners both locally and nationally to develop a framework of support for creative arts business – including business and marketing skills, mentoring and training, and new exhibition and workspace initiatives.
CABN’s partners include departments across Scottish Borders Council – Arts Development and the Economic Development section of the Planning Department – and key partner, Business Gateway. Nationally, CABN will work with the Scottish Arts Council, Cultural Enterprise Office, Arts and Business and WASPS Studios, which has a base in Selkirk.
The launch event will run from 1.30pm-4.30pm, with a networking drinks reception until 6.30pm, and aims to be inspiring and informative. Please note – although the focus of the Awards is Visual Artists and Makers, practitioners in other art forms are also welcome.
Anyone wishing to attend the event, or looking for more information on CABN and the new Awards Scheme should contact Mary:Tel: 01450 360 689 mobile: 07789 944 993
Editors’ Notes
The programme on the 3rd July will include:
- Introduction to CABN and it’s partners
- Outline of new Bridgebuilders directory*
- Launch of CABN/Scottish Arts Council Awards for Visual Artists and Makers
- Presentation by artist from Dumfries and Galloway on how the award scheme has helped their work develop
- Presentation of business support services by Business Gateway
- Facilitated discussion on the creative arts sector in the Scottish Borders – your chance to input into new developments and help us plan CABN training & events
*CABN and Arts Developments’ Cultural Co-ordinators are currently updating the contacts and details of artists and organisations who can offer arts education workshops in schools and community settings (Bridgebuilders)
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