News from the Outer Hebrides

MEG RODGER assesses the state of play in the Western Isles as their new Cultural Strategy is launched.

The Strategy makes a commitment to developing cultural entitlements and responds to the objectives within ‘Scotland’s Culture’, the Scottish Executive’s response to the Cultural Review

News from the front lines …

An Lanntair completed its first year in the new building in October and is now established as a major venue. Despite having to negotiate and navigate around the usual financial, operational and snagging issues in a new build, the opening programme was crammed with high-quality visual arts such as the Sharmanka, Tim Stead and Gus Wylie retrospectives.

The auditorium, which is running at 85% capacity on available programming days, catered for a huge range of performing arts and cinema. From Lewis Women and the National Mod to Scottish Opera, from Guitars 3 to Skateboarding movies to the National Theatre of Scotland … and so on.

The BT National Gaelic Schools debate has been there twice already, and new developments proceed apace. A second stage was opened up for the Hebridean Celtic Festival and Faclan, the first Hebridean Book Festival, exceeded all expectations. Education and Outreach programmes such as the Saturday Art Club, DijiDance and Catching Motion put spokes on the creative hub.

Strategically, according to Director Roddy Murray, the emphasis is changing. 'We become a Foundation organisation in 2007 and are mindful of our direction being consistent with national policies. Gaelic arts for example are critical to our identity, status and potential. We have obligations and responsibilities there. I also think that with the delivery of the venue we achieved a key target in provision for audiences, visitors and participants. The consumers, if you will.

“The next development phase for us, is in what SAC refer to as 'support for artists' - and that's about producers. Those who make the art. In particular we hope to facilitate artists' studios in partnership with WASPS, and also look at residential possibilities. Crafts are another key area in this respect. I'm optimistic that we can make significant progress on that over the next 2-3 years."
 

Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum & Arts Centre will proceed in the New Year with an exciting new studio extension which will help to fulfil its aims in creating a centre of excellence in environmental art, enabling more artist residencies, summer schools and new media projects.

Currently there is a major exhibition with the artist Ettie Spencer featuring installations both within the centre and in the land and seascapes. ‘Changing Places’ explores themes of displacement and migration, and also utilises the eSCAPE telescope project. The exhibition runs till the 13 January 2007.

Next year highlights will include an Andy Goldsworthy exhibition and the 2007 Art is the Map project.

The Harris Arts Festival 2006 held its weekly events throughout the summer from May to September. These included slide shows with stories and songs on topics relating to the histories and folklore of Harris and St Kilda. At the beginning of August the Harris Arts Festival week took place around the island from venues in Tarbert to St Clement's Church at Rodel. The events included street theatre, a poetry competition for children, concerts with Ishbel MacAskill, Margaret Stewart and Jenna Cumming as well as many other performers.
 

Highland 2007 in the Outer Hebrides…

The Outer Hebrides are now gearing up to take part in Highland 2007. We are clarifying final details, be we anticipate that there will be around 30 events through out the islands, from the Butt to Barra.

As a taster of what is to come, as part of the Highland 2007 launch on the 12 January, Comunn Eachdraidh Bhearnaraigh will be welcoming in the Old New Year. The island of Berneray, North Uist, is the last place in Scotland where the traditional Gaelic New Year (Sean Bliadhn' Ur) is still celebrated on the Friday nearest to 12 January.

Comunn Eachdraidh Bhearnaraigh will produce a film record of the Challuin celebration in 2007, including reminiscences by older members of the community of Challuin celebrations in years gone by. The Challuin night will feature a party of children and adults in traditional costumes, visiting island houses to recite the traditional rhymes. They also plan to organise a traditional ceilidh/dance, and when production work on the film is complete they will organise a launch event to include a ‘premiere’ of the film and a small photographic exhibition.

One of the international highlights in the year will be Proiseact nan Ealan’s ‘St.Kilda: An Evocation’ which will take place on 22-23 June 2007. The St Kilda Project is inspired by the lives of the people of those islands and is a cross-media, music-theatre and film production involving live performance and pre-recorded film projections. It is a major international co-production performed simultaneously in five European venues, all linked by live satellite connection to St Kilda. Detailed information on this wonderful and ground-breaking event can be found at: www.gaelic-arts.com

Information on all events taking place as part of the Highland 2007 celebrations in the Outer Hebrides can be found at: www.highland2007.com

For further information or a copy of the Outer Hebrides Cultural Strategy please contact Meg Rodger, Arts Development Officer, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (T: 01870 602 425, m.rodger@cne-siar.gov.uk )

© Meg Rodger, 2006