Journal Archive: Speakout

December 2007 Speakout: St Kilda IAN STEPHEN is determined that this summer’s St Kilda – A European Opera won’t be the last word on the a musical depiction of the island’s story.July 2007 Speakout: Memory and Legacy ROBERT LIVINGSTON recalls the most important formative experience in his career in the arts at Glasgow’s Third Eye Centre, and ponders the lessons to be learned from its fascinating legacy.June 2007 Speakout: Blogs JOHN BURNS looks at the burgeoning world-wide lure of the blog.April 2007 Speakout: Writing Orkney MORAG McGILL sounds off on the official neglect of indigenous writing in Orkney, and celebrates a step in the right direction.February 2007 Speakout: INcoherence GEORGINA COBURN takes a critical look at the nurturing of creative opportunities in the Highlands & Islands.November 2006 Speakout: Broadcasting Birthdays BRIAN MORTON suggests that the BBC could learn valuable lessons from its counterpart in Canada.September 2006 Speakout: Dunoon and the Mod BRIAN MORTON considers the changing relationship of the Royal National Mod and its host town for this year, Dunoon.August 2006 Speakout: Specialist Primary Teachers GEORGINA COBURN condemns the short-sighted policy of removing specialist art and music teachers from early primary school.June 2006 Speakout: Cultural Tourism MICHAEL RUSSELL argues that it is time to take a more adventurous approach to large-scale ambition in our cultural and physical landscape.April 2006 Speakout: Voluntary Arts Groups LINDA JOLLY speaks up for the work of the voluntary arts sector in the Highlands.January 2006 Speakout: The Creative Office JOHN BURNS ponders the relevance of creativity in the hard-nosed world of businessDecember 2005 Speakout: The Womex Opportunity SUE WILSON reflects on the lessons to be drawn for Scottish musicians from the Womex world music convention in Gateshead.October 2005 Arts Rant: Towards 2007 GEORGINA COBURN reflects on the cultural energy and grassroots decision-making of Western Canada as a model for development in the Highlands and Islands in 2007 and beyond.July 2005 ArtsRant: Cultural Commission Report BRIAN MORTON ponders the findings of the Cultural Commission reportMarch 2005 Rant: Highland 2007 ROBERT DAVIDSON tackles the difficult questions facing Fiona Hampton and the Highland 2007 teamNovember 2004 Rant: Cultural Review BRIAN MORTON cast a skeptical eye on the latest Cultural Review, and suggests an alternative model for advancing the arts in ScotlandSeptember 2004 ArtsRant: Why Bother with Books? ANNE MACLEOD ponders the complex relationship between her dual roles as medical practitioner and creative writerJune 2004 ArtsRant: National Theatre of Scotland GEORGE GUNN, the artistic director of Grey Coast, responds passionately and provocatively to a survey on the National Theatre of Scotland. April 2004 ArtsRant:
Celtic Film & Television Festival (1) CATRIONA PAUL considers the state of Celtic film and televisonMarch 2004 ArtsRant:
How to get your Poetry Published (1) ROBERT DAVIDSON draws on his experience as a published writer and an editorFebruary 2004 ArtsRant: Arts Funding (1) AONGHAS MacNEACAIL casts an eye over the current furore surrounding funding the arts and cultural policyDecember 2003 ArtsRant: City of the Highlands (1) ROBERT DAVIDSON proposes a new vision of Inverness as an exciting, cosmopolitan City of the Highlands for the 21st centuryDecember 2003 ArtsRant:
George Gunn on the Scottish National Theatre (1) GEORGE GUNN casts a skeptical eye over the role of the proposed Scottish National Theatre, and suggests that the work of W B Yeats in Ireland and the identity and insight of Highland experience can provide a path for a genuine National Theatre.October 2003 ArtsRant (1) GORDON MACLEAN, director of An Tobar, the Tobermory Arts Centre on Mull, sounds off on the current threat to the Highland Festival’s funding from Highland Council, and demands support for the arts at all levels.September 2003 ArtsRant Is live performance a different experience in Shetland? ANDY ROSS ponders the etiquette of audience reception.August 2003 ArtsRant (1) JOHN BURNS on poetry.July 2003 ArtsRant (1) PETER URPETH, contributing editor of the HI~Arts Journal, looks at why the music of the Gael remains marginalised within the national context of folk and music events.June 2003 ArtsRant (1) GEORGE GUNN, Artistic Director of Grey Coast Theatre, looks into the failed Inverness/Highland bid to be Capital of Culture 2008.