Support for writers in the Highlands and Islands

Launch of Report

HI~Arts is pleased to launch their new report on Writing Development in the Highlands and Islands.  This has been commissioned from Jenny Brown, Philippa Johnston and Moira Forsyth, with funding from the Scottish Arts Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.  The report can be downloaded from the link at the bottom of this page.

Launch of new Writers Awards scheme

In order to demonstrate the commitment of all three partners to providing support for writers in the Highlands and Islands, HI~Arts is also launching a new Writers Awards scheme.  This will offer grants of up to £500, and has an initial budget of £6,000, provided jointly by HIE and SAC.  The scheme is based on the existing popular and successful  HI~Arts Artists Awards scheme which has been in operation for three years now.  The guidelines and application form for this new scheme, are available for download at the end of the page. If you experience problems downloading the information send a request, together with full contact details, to Maggie Dunlop, Funding & Liaison Manager at maggie@hi-arts.co.uk.

Database of writers

Almost 150 writers were involved in the research for this report, as well as many individuals and organisations involved in publishing, and other forms of support for writers. However, some 350 individuals were sent questionnaires, and even that list is likely to be far from complete.  HI~Arts are keen to build up a database that is as comprehensive as possible of writers, and those involved in working with and supporting writers, in the Highlands and Islands.  If you did not respond to the original questionnaire, and would like to be included in the HI~Arts database, please click here.

Period of Consultation

The report’s recommendations have been drawn from a wide range of views and opinions.  HI~Arts now wishes to seek your views on the three options which the report has proposed. The new Writers Awards scheme is only a first step, aimed at getting some targeted resources into place quickly.  While there is scope to develop a much more long term and larger scale approach, HI~Arts will not take any further action without ensuring a wide consultation on what that approach should be.  That is why your comments are important!  If you have any interest or involvement in writing or publishing, or any related areas, please complete this response form.

The consultation period is open until August 31 2003.

While HI~Arts will still be pleased to receive any views after that date, they may be too late to influence any plans for development.  If there is a clear consensus on the way forward, it is hoped that any new developments can be put in place early in 2004.

You will require Adobe's free Acrobat Reader (5.0 version)in order to view the downloads.  This can be downloaded by clicking here.