Following the Visual Arts Gathering in Ullapool in 2006, HI-Arts invites you to attend the next Gathering at Eden Court, Inverness on 15th & 16th May 2008.  The theme of this year’s event is ‘Artists are doing it for Themselves’.

Taking on board feedback and comments from the last Gathering, this time we’ve included more sharing or discussion sessions, and time to network.

As far as possible, talks and sessions will be led by artists sharing their experience and covering areas such as building and planning your business, working in temporary spaces, diversifying your practice, and promoting you and your work more effectively.

Full details will be sent by the 11th April, but an outline programme is given below. If you need more information before then, please contact Gathering organiser Lucy Conway at lucy@hi-arts.co.uk  


THURSDAY 15TH MAY

While you’re in Inverness, why not take the opportunity to visit galleries and workshops spaces before you join us at Eden Court. Tore, Kilmorack, and Inchmore Galleries, Inverness Museum and Gallery, Highland Print Studio are all open and look forward to meeting you. In addition, we’ve arranged guided talks of the new public art works in Inverness city centre and at Eden Court Theatre.

Portfolio Sessions - 5pm to 7.30pm

This is the chance to show and share your work with others at a Portfolio session hosted in the newly restored Bishops Palace at Eden Court. If you’re interested in showing your work, please contact Lucy at lucy@hi-arts.co.uk Refreshments available

7.30pm - close for evening

Delegates can have dinner at the restaurant at Eden Court (booking required) or for those with a love of Cuban music, book now to see the legendary Buena Vista Social Club (Eden Court box office 01463 234234). Please note, delegates to cover the cost of dinner and concert themselves.


FRIDAY 16TH MAY

Morning 9.30am – 1.15pm

Keynote presentation

Building New Opportunities – as an artist, running a sustainable business can be a challenge. Diversify, plan, promote, sounds all very professional, but how do you do all that and still find time to be creative?

Briefing: what’s new with the Scottish Arts Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, plans for Creative Scotland, etc

Sharing and Discussion sessions – these sessions will be repeated in the afternoon

• Artwork photography and promotional print, to online portfolio and sales 
• Temporary exhibition spaces – finding, promoting and using them safely and within budget 
• Education sector – what opportunities are there for artists to diversify into the education sector
  
  
• Discussion group – artists (morning) 
• Discussion group – galleries (afternoon

Lunch provided - 1.15pm – 2.15pm

Afternoon 2.15pm to 4.45pm

Repeat of Sharing sessions, networking, feedback and reflections.

Information on a bursary scheme, to reduce travel and accommodation costs for those coming substantial distances, will be announced with the full programme.

To read about the 2006 Visual Arts Gathering and to access downloads of the presentations click here.