***STOP PRESS*** A few places still available!

ArtsPlay would like to invite you to the ArtsPlay National Conference on 2 December 2004 at the Craigmonie Centre, Glenurquhart High School, Drumnadrochit, Inverness.

ArtsPlay, a two-year project co-ordinated by HI~Arts, concentrated on promoting creativity in children by placing artists in childcare organisations in order to share their skills with the childcare workers. The artists and childcarers worked together, learning new skills, gaining new experiences, confidence and a fuller understanding of the range of possibilities for advancing ‘real’ creative opportunities as opposed to routine and structured activities.

What is so special about this conference?
 It is sharply focused and very topical. High quality speakers will fuel the strategic agenda. Arts organisations, including The Wolf Trap Foundation from America , will share examples of good practice and well-run workshops will allow you to not only learn, but to make a collective contribution to our Mission Statement to the Cultural Commission on children and provision of the arts. There will be presentations, speeches and workshops from Scottish Parliament Minister, Wolf Trap Foundation, Imaginate, Artsplay Highland and Kay Smith of ArtsPlay.

The venue is set in a spectacular location in the Highlands of Scotland, at Loch Ness, with excellent food and hospitality.  Evening entertainment and culture is available in Inverness and Drumnadrochit. Details will be available nearer the time.

Who is this conference aimed at?
Everyone involved in childcare, education, access to training and the arts. For example, artists, trainers, teachers, voluntary organisations, local authorities, colleges universities and businesses – and anyone else who is interested.

Why “Bridging the gap”?

“Bridging the gap in life-long learning through creative stimulation and communication – arts in the community”

We believe it is the most important theme in the current climate of cultural rights, social inclusion and the arts in Scotland . ArtsPlay, and the models developed by the organisations leading the workshops show the way forward in terms of reaching Scotland ’s communities immediately.

The conference is a one-day event only. However, if delegates require further information, surgeries will be available with workshop-providers the following morning at HI~Arts in Inverness.

For more information contact Jelica Gavrilovic, ArtsPlay Regional Co-ordinator, HI~Arts, 4^th Floor, Ballantyne House, 84 Academy Street, Inverness IV1 1LU or email jelica@hi-arts.co.uk or download the ArtsPlay conference brochure at http://hi-arts.co.uk/artsplay.htm