Media relations is an important part of audience development in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, whether it is fostering relationships with the local press, or trying to encourage national coverage of the arts in our region.
 

Report on Media Coverage of the Arts

In early 2008, Skye-based arts consultant Nicola Smith was commissioned by HI~Arts to interview a range of arts writers and editors from the national media.  The resulting report recommends ways to generate greater coverage for the arts and culture of the Highlands and Islands.
 

Download the full report here 

Media Familiarisation

HI~Arts are well aware of how difficult it can be to generate national press coverage in our region and, in response, has put together media familiarisation tours of the Highlands and Islands.
 

By subsidising travel and organising tours to a handful of arts venues at one time, HI~Arts has been able to attract key national arts media to the area.  A three-day tour of the Western Highlands, Skye and the Western Isles took place in 2001, followed by a tour of the Highlands and Northern Isles in 2002.  Represented on these tours were The Times, BBC Scotland, The Herald, Press & Journal and Grampian Television.
 

Media Database

In addition to familiarisation work, we have also generated a large (arts) media contacts database for the Highlands and Islands, listing relevant regional, UK and international media organisations.  This database is freely available below in a number of formats for you to download for your own arts organisation or project.

We will endeavour to keep this database up-to-date.  Should you have any amendments or additions to this database, please contact marcus@hi-arts.co.uk.

Press Release Tip Sheet

A Tip Sheet with information on writing press releases can also be downloaded below.