A new study commissioned by HI~Arts, the arts development agency for the Highlands and Islands, sets Five Challenges for the continuing development of the Visual Arts in the Highlands and Islands.

In recent times the Visual Arts have experienced remarkable growth. Artist groups, studio trails and private galleries are now a significant part of Highlands and Islands life economically, socially and culturally. Cultural access and the development of creative industries will be defining issues in the region’s future.

Recognising the importance of the Visual Arts to education, economic growth, community regeneration, and tourism development, HI~Arts commissioned Georgina Coburn, a regular contributor to HI~Arts’ Internet journal Northings, to undertake a comprehensive study into the current state of the visual arts in the Highlands and Islands.

Throughout the summer of 2006 Georgina travelled the length and breadth of the area, personally interviewing over 270 artists, curators, gallery managers and arts officers. Her resulting report sets Five Challenges in the fields of: Communication, Infrastructure, Professional Practice, Education and Vision.


Major Visual Arts Gathering Event - November 2006

These Challenges will be the topics for debate at a major Highlands and Islands Visual Arts Gathering which HI~Arts is holding at the Macphail Centre in Ullapool on Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th November 2006. This two day artist led event is an exciting opportunity for artists, gallery owners, curators, arts workers and arts educators to exchange ideas, share experience and shape an agenda for future Visual Arts development in the region.

Chaired by artist Frances Walker and artist/composer Marc Yeats the two-day programme will explore a wide variety of key issues for the visual arts of the Highlands and Islands, as well as providing a valuable opportunity for the regions' artists to network with their peers. It is anticipated that up to one hundred artists from the region will take part in this landmark event.

Key speakers will include Clive Gillman (DCA, Dundee), Roxane Permar (Veer North, Shetland), Rachel Skene (Timespan, Helmsdale), Claudia Zieske (Deveron Arts, Huntly), Anne Douglas (On the Edge, Aberdeen), Suzy West (Arts Development Dumfries and Galloway Council), Andrew MacLean (Curator, Mount Stuart, Argyll) Denise Collins (Castle Gallery, Inverness) and Mhairi Killin (Aosdana Gallery and Studio, Iona). Organisations represented at the event will include Highland Open Studios, Visual Arts Sutherland and Uist Art on the Map and Ullapool-based arts organisation an talla solais.

The “Five Challenges" report is now available online at http://www.hi-arts.co.uk/HI-Arts-Visual-Arts/HI-Arts-Five_Challenges_Visual_Arts_report_2006-final.pdf , and printed copies can also be requested through the HI~Arts office.

Booking forms for the Highlands and Islands Visual Arts Gathering are available online at http://www.hi-arts.co.uk/visualarts  or by phoning 01463 717091.