Category Archives: South Ayrshire

CLN News, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire

Sharing Ideas, Thoughts and Dreams – news from East Ayrshire CLN

Leave a comment

East Ayrshire Creative Minds Learning Network hosted an informative,
entertaining and enjoyable event on Tuesday 26th March, held at Dumfries
House, Cumnock.

Keynote speaker, Professor Brian Boyd stimulated discussion about the
future of arts in education and placing creativity at the heart of
learning.

Councillor Stephanie Primrose, Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, who
participated in discussions said:

“This event provided an extremely valuable opportunity for local people to come together and talk about creative learning.  It follows on from the establishment of a successful Artist Network, which is supported jointly by East and South Ayrshire Councils.  The networking opportunities undoubtedly strengthened links between parents, schools and the artist community and I am proud to be a
part of this initiative.”

Over 60 people attended in one of Scotland’s most beautiful stately
homes, including teachers, classroom assistants, parents, carers and a
wide range of artists.  Over the past year, East Ayrshire’s CLN has
provided high quality professional development opportunities to members
including Garageband for Beginners, How looking at Art Can Support CfE,
Classical Indian Dance, 10-week Dance Leadership Course, Primary
Conducting and Repertoire, Scottish Ballet ‘Nutcracker’, Alcohol and
Drugs Awareness through Creative Learning, Heritage Arts and the
establishment of a strong Artist Network.  East Ayrshire CLN has more
than doubled its membership this year, with over 250 participants.

“This year our network has grown considerably, both in size and diversity
of its members.  I am overwhelmed with the support and positive feedback
from participants sharing their learning and experiences with teaching
colleagues and pupils, parents with their children at home and the
successful establishment of an Artist Network.  Not only this, but by
bringing together like-minded individuals, dynamic new partnerships have
been formed whilst providing motivation for their own learning and
teaching in meaningful and fun ways.”  Helen Duncan, Cultural Co-ordinator

The Creative Learning Networks Fund is managed by Education Scotland, in
partnership with Creative Scotland in local authority areas across
Scotland.  East Ayrshire will continue to work with South Ayrshire
Council CLN on joint projects to add value, avoid duplication and
maximise resources for future events and training.

“The Creative Minds Learning Network event in Dumfries House had a real
buzz about it. Professor Brian Boyd set the scene by focussing on
‘opening our classrooms’.  While the vibrant discussions which followed
exemplified just what is possible when artists and teachers share ideas,
thoughts and dreams.”  John Wilson, Senior Education Manager

Helen Duncan, Cultural Coordinator, East Ayrshire

Careers and Pathways, CLN News, South Ayrshire

Lights, camera, action − young people get creative

Leave a comment

The Creative Industries Conference for Young People brought together 90 senior students from South Ayrshire Council’s Belmont Academy, Carrick Academy, Girvan Academy, Kyle Academy, Prestwick and Queen Margaret Academy. Each student was specially selected to attend the conference as they are particularly interested in pursuing a career in the arts.

South Ayrshire Councillor Margaret Toner, Lifelong Learning Portfolio Holder said: “The conference was a great success and very beneficial to the students.

“It is important that we ensure that students who are artistic and are determined to have a career in the arts know the reality of how the industry works. I was particularly impressed with the way in which the students from the University of the West of Scotland passed on their knowledge and experience to our school students.

“We have a great reputation in this country for delivering high quality arts productions and I am positive that some of these students will achieve great things in the industry in the future.”

Students from the University of the West of Scotland delivered seminars and hands on workshops for delegates providing peer to peer mentoring through the day in a range of industry related themes, including film sound effects, radio and screen writing and theatre production.

A number of market place style displays enabled the school students to learn more about the arts and theatre companies, digital media and heritage organisations that exist locally and nationally.  These organisations offer direct support and opportunities for young people in creative industries.

A number of the students commented about their experience of attending the Creative Industries Conference:

Kyle Academy
Cameron Fong

‘Was a great opportunity to see the working environment of a University which gave us a great personal insight’

Jo-Anne Blacklock

‘I really enjoyed a first hand experience of the workings and procedures of the creative courses the University has to offer’

Queen Margaret Academy

Jaymee Galloway

‘Very interesting and exciting day.  Friendly and very nice building’

Prestwick Academy

Alicia Marshall

‘The conference today has opened my eyes to many courses and opportunities which I would not have learned about in school.’

Louise Wheeldon

‘Today was a great opportunity at trying new experiences I would never have had without the University of the West of Scotland.  It really showed me that there was more available to me than I know.’

Belmont Academy

Ruth Johnstone

‘I have enjoyed learning about the thought processes used by TV show creators.  I also was interested in the technology used by the UWS radio station and was impressed by how Radio Broadcasting students are required to do an hours show every week.’

Kathryn Hanna

Today has given me an insight into Uni life at UWS and informed me of courses that can be studied here which I haven’t seen offered at other Universities.   UWS seems to offer more diverse and practical courses which are geared a lot to preparing Scotland for jobs in their chosen industry.’

Girvan Academy

Mighel Espinosa

‘I found the visit really inspiring and intriguing.   It has really opened my eyes by offering opportunities close to home rather than traveling to universities in Edinburgh and Stirling.’

Caitlin Harvey

‘I found today really interesting and very informative.    It has shown me what is on offer on my doorstep instead of traveling far distances.   I now know what qualifications I need to get into my preferred course.’

The conference was funded by Education Scotland and Creative Scotland and is part the Creative Learning Network in South Ayrshire Council.

Artists, CLN News, Creative Practitioners, East Ayrshire, Partnerships, South Ayrshire

Dumfries House Hosts Inaugural Ayrshire Artist Gathering

Leave a comment

Stephen Kay, Education Officer for The Great Steward of Scotland’s Dumfries House said

“I was delighted to host the first Ayrshire Artist Networking Event at Dumfries House, organised by Helen Duncan and Jenny Hunter, Cultural Co-ordinators for East and South Ayrshire respectively, providing a venue for over fifty local artists and creative practitioners of various mediums and professionalisms to meet and highlight their individual areas of interest and expertise.”

After a short tour of the House by Charlotte Rostek, Curator of Dumfries House, a keynote speech was delivered by Mark Chester, Executive Director of The Princes Drawing School in London in support of art & culture locally and nationally, and whose foundation has recently opened artist studios on the Dumfries House estate.  This fantastic new facility will support art education throughout Ayrshire and beyond as part of the educational vision for Dumfries House through the support and involvement of “The Prince’s Drawing School”, “The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts”, “The Prince’s Foundation for Children and the Arts” and as a major part of His Royal Highness, The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay’s Heritage Regeneration programme.

Helen Duncan, Cultural Co-ordinator

“I was overwhelmed with the response – not only are these Ayrshire artists and makers producing their own work, but working with children and young people delivering high quality creative learning opportunities for schools.  This is essentially a business network for artists to connect, collaborate, share and support.”

Tom Wilson, local Visual Artist and runs Wild and West

“I know I’m not alone in thinking that the splendour of the house and the warmth of the welcome aside, this was an exciting and inspirational event at Dumfries House. The enthusiasm of the speakers for its development as a centre for cultural education and learning made me feel very lucky to have it on my doorstep.  It is a very healthy, holistic, imaginative vision, enabling art, culture and heritage to make a strong contribution to the regeneration and development of this area as a whole.  At a personal level I came away knowing that Dumfries House is genuinely keen to offer opportunities to local artists.”

The Sundancer, Ayrshire Singer/Songwriter

“The opportunity to deliver songwriting workshops at Dumfries House is fantastic – particularly as I was lucky to purchase my first guitar through a grant from The Princes’ Trust when I first started playing nearly 20 years ago.  I look forward to working with local young people at Dumfries House, sharing my knowledge and experience to give them support which I have received.”

Ruth Carslaw, Film-Maker

“As the event unfolded you could genuinely feel a shared sense of purpose and momentum – propelled by the great speakers, fellow artists and the building itself!   I left feeling that Dumfries House will become a creative hub for all – artists and communities alike.”

For further details or to be kept informed of future events, please contact helen.duncan@east-ayrshire.gov.uk or jenny.hunter@south-ayrshire.gov.uk