As well as making the annual pledge to give up smoking and join the local gym, the Scottish Arts Council is urging people to get involved in the arts as part of their New Year’s resolution for 2005.

Drama, dance, music, literature, visual art and crafts can all have a positive impact on a person’s physical and mental health, can be educational, enjoyable and can be a great family day out.  With Scotland’s vibrant cultural life, there are plenty of opportunities for people across the country to get involved in the arts no matter where they live.

Graham Berry, Director of the Scottish Arts Council, says: ‘Arts and culture are becoming increasingly popular in Scotland as more and more people realise the pleasure and the benefits they can gain from enjoying the arts.  The arts are so all-encompassing there really is something of interest for everyone, whether visiting an art gallery, going to the theatre, listening to music, dancing or simply reading a book.

‘2005 is going to be an important year for arts and culture in Scotland and we want to urge as many people in Scotland to make a New Year’s resolution to try something different and see what is happening in their area.’

To help illustrate how the arts can have a positive effect for a new year, the Scottish Arts Council has developed some top tips for making your arts resolutions for 2005:

• Get fit, take a dance class – whether it’s ballet or ballroom, salsa or tap, taking a dance class not only provides the same amount of exercise as an aerobics class at the gym, but it also helps to improve balance, posture, co-ordination and offers a better understanding of how your body moves.  Dance organisations including Dancebase in Edinburgh, Citymoves Dancespace in Aberdeen, the Space in Dundee and YDance all have dance classes for different ages and abilities starting in January 2005.
• Express yourself and get involved in theatre – becoming involved in a local drama group can help to improve confidence, develop communication skills and be a great way to meet new people.  The Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA) has more than 180 member organisations across Scotland, promoting all aspects of community theatre in Scotland.  For more information and to find out what’s happening in your area, visit www.scda.org.uk 
• Write the book you’ve always wanted to but never thought you had the time -  Moniack Mhor, just outside Inverness, offers a variety of week-long courses suitable for everyone, from the novice to the expert writer, providing an opportunity to live as a writer, with other writers, and concentrate on developing new creative work.  All training courses are delivered by leading professional writers and this residential writing centre provides a tranquil and peaceful retreat in a beautiful setting, designed to make people feel comfortable and inspired.   The 2005 courses start in April but places are competitive and you are advised to sign up as soon as the full line up is announced in January 2005, visit www.arvonfoundation.org 
• Treat yourself to something new - the Scottish Arts Council’s Own Art scheme, currently running in nine galleries across Scotland, offers interest free loans of up to £2,000 to buy high quality original contemporary visual arts and craft.  For full details of the scheme and to find a gallery near you, visit www.scottisharts.org.uk 
• Discover a new style of music - the Scottish Arts Council’s Tune Up series of concerts offer a rich mixture of musical styles ranging from classic contemporary to rock and pop and sizzling jazz music.  In 2005, enjoy tours from leading UK jazz artist Denys Baptiste and Scottish rock band the Delgados amongst others.  Visit www.tuneup.org.uk for more information on dates and venues right across Scotland. 
• Learn a new craft skill for 2005 – Edinburgh College of Art, Glasgow School of Art, Gray’s School of Art and Duncan of Jordanstone run a mixture of evening classes and summer schools for people interested in learning a craft such as ceramics, textiles design, jewellery or glass art as a recreational activity.  Courses are usually taught by practicing artists and allow people to learn at their own pace in a relaxed environment.  For more details of the courses each institution offer, visit the websites: www.eca.ac.uk; www.gsa.ac.uk; www.rgu.ac.uk; www.dundee.ac.uk/djcad
• Spend more quality time with the family while introducing your child to the arts – spend a family day out at the theatre, with one of Scotland’s many theatre companies that produce shows suitable for the whole family.  With shows ranging from pantomimes to ballet and musicals to Shakespeare, there is something of interest for all the family.  To find out what’s on near you, visit www.scottishtheatre.org/youngpeople

The Scottish Arts Council’s new website, www.scottisharts.org.uk, provides a full resource for the arts in Scotland including a What’s On guide to arts events throughout the country as well as a video and audio showcase of some of the finest work produced by artists and arts organisations funded by the Scottish Arts Council.