Voluntary Arts Scotland is set to launch its new series of Mapping the Future – the Way Ahead in September. This easy -to -understand, plain English series, successfully piloted in last year offers artists and arts organisations a wonderful opportunity to gain planning skills and to understand the benefits of good plans.

Dates and locations in the Highlands & Islands area are:

• Sat 18 Sept 2004 : Inverness
• Sat 6 Nov 2004 : Lerwick
• Thurs 20 Jan 2005 : Uists
• Sat 22 Jan 2005 : Isle of Lewis
• Sat 5 Feb 2005 : Perth

£10 (individuals; organisations with turnover under £100,000)
£20 (organisations with turnover over £100,000).
9.45am – 4.15pm: lunch and refreshments included.

The day long event will be led by Jen Clark, a trainer and consultant in planning, development and project management and renowned for her approachable manner. Jen has a wealth of experience from performing in the Battlefield Band, work in arts and health, running an arts organisation, lecturing, advising government on cultural policy and authoring a seminal arts and health publication. She recently received a creative development grant from the Scottish Arts Council.
 
“These seminars really work! Participants develop thinking and planning skills and understand how good planning can benefit them in their everyday practice, creating good funding bids and future development“ explained Fiona Campbell, Network Officer for Voluntary Arts Scotland. “Groups get to see just how they can get involved with the local community planning processes, for example”.

The series is supported by Communities Scotland, HI~Arts, Highland Council, Shetland Arts Trust, Perth & Kinross Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

For more information and to book, contact:
Fiona Campbell, Voluntary Arts Scotland, P O Box 17200, Edinburgh EH11 2YG;
tel: (0131) 313 2555; email: info@vascotland.org.uk or book online at: www.vascotland.org.uk