Category Archives: Opportunities

Careers and Pathways, Resources, Young People

Portfolio Guidance for Aspiring Art Students

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Artist and lecturer Julie Read has launched a new website, www.portfolio-oomph.com , specifically designed to support young people who wish to apply to art college. The site includes advice and guidance on portfolio preparation, video interviews with artists, designers and makers, and links to information on possible careers in the creative industries.

Also available is a range of e-books which provide in-depth guidance on subjects such as how to present work, how to choose the right subject and college and how to do well at interview. e-books cost between £2.50 and £10.95 and a range of e-courses is promised soon.

CfE, Education News, Parents

CfE for Parents

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Be at the heart of your child’s learning

http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/parentzone/

A national campaign has been launched which aims to help parents and carers develop a better understanding of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) and how they can become more involved in their child’s learning. Children do better when families support their learning. From reading together, spending time talking and listening through to finding out about their day and helping them prepare for exams – involvement makes a world of difference.

Curriculum for Excellence is raising standards of learning and teaching across Scotland. It is preparing children and young people with the skills and qualifications they need for a fast changing world.

Parentzone is a website dedicated to providing parents and carers with the most up to date information about their child’s education. It provides practical advice and ideas of how parents and carers can be involved in their child’s learning, as well as essential information on features of Curriculum for Excellence.

Get involved today by visiting www.educationscotland.gov.uk/parentzone.

Careers and Pathways, Funding, Young People

Funds for young people to develop their creativity

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Creative Enterprise Fund

Creative Scotland and Young Scot see the Creative Enterprise Fund as providing a means for Scotland’s young people to develop their artistic talent and unlock opportunities within the creative industries. The Fund aims to promote the values of creative enterprise and leadership, creating positive pathways to employment and providing wider benefits to local communities.

The Fund can offer awards of up to £200 for individuals aged 15-22 or £750 for groups of three or more young people, where two thirds of any group are aged between 15-22.

The deadline for applications is 17 September 2012.

Contact: Young Scot, phone: 0808 801 0338 [ e-mail | website ]

Young Start Fund

A new fund aimed at unlocking the potential of Scotland’s children and young people has been launched by the Big Lottery Fund. Young Start will invest dormant accounts money in projects that encourage young Scots aged 8 to 24 to be:

  • CONFIDENT – Children and young people have more confidence and skills;
  • HEALTHY – Children and young people have better physical, mental and emotional health;
  • CONNECTED – Younger and older generations are better connected and have more understanding and respect for each other;
  • ENTERPRISING – Young people are better prepared for getting a job or starting a business.

Young Start, which is forecast to invest £8.9 million by March 2013, will award grants of between £10,000 and £50,000 for up to two years. The fund is aimed at third sector organisations including voluntary organisations, community groups, social enterprises, housing associations, sports organisations, cooperatives and charities.

Projects will have a better chance of success if they can show young people have been meaningfully involved in the development, design and delivery of the project. Young Start can fund a range of projects including the following examples:

  • Using local artists in a creative arts project to improve young people’s confidence;
  • Getting young people involved in sport through the use of local sports facilities;
  • Young people teaching older people how to use technology and try new activities such as using the internet, social networking and gaming;
  • Work experience tasters with local employers.

Application form and guidance materials are available online here. There are no deadlines and applications can be submitted at any time. Applicants will hear if they have been successful within 8 weeks of submitting an application form.

Groups can keep in touch with the latest Young Start news at www.facebook.org.uk/youngstartfund or following Young Start atwww.twitter.com/youngstartfund.

Artists, CfE, CPD, Edinburgh

Artist CPD – Working with Schools, 26 Aug 2012

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Skills Development CPD for Artists: Working with Schools
Sunday 26 August, 1.30-4.30pm
Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR

Cost: £28/£24 Network members

Bookings: 0131 556 9579

Participants will look at the four capacities of the Curriculum for Excellence and how participating in the arts enables young people to become Successful Learners, Confident Individuals, Effective Contributors and Responsible Citizens. The programme will also look at the outcomes and experiences for the Expressive Arts, as well as how the arts can be used across the curriculum to meet the health and wellbeing, literacy and numeracy outcomes. There will also be a chance to examine case studies of education projects, share ideas for future projects and tips on how to fund work in schools. Led by Fiona Dalgetty

For artists: If you have already worked with schools, please bring a short summary or case study of a project you have run

Programme:

1.30pm – 2.30pm – Curriculum for Excellence
2.30pm – 3.00pm – Case studies of education projects
3.00pm – 3.15pm – Coffee break
3.15pm – 3.45pm – Case studies and ideas for future projects
3.45pm – 4.15pm – How can we fund work in schools?
4.15pm – 4.30pm – Final questions

CPD, Dance, Young People

Learning & Development with David Hughes Dance

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David Hughes Dance is passionately engaged in presenting a comprehensive programme of education and outreach work to increase knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of modern dance theatre.

They offer high quality dance masterclasses, workshops and residencies for  schools and colleges, working with young people and practitioners of all ages and levels of ability.

Find out more about David Hughes Dance at: http://www.davidhughesdance.co.uk

Download information about their educational programmes and tours here:

David Hughes Dance Education

Educational Tours 2012

CLD, Funding

ACE support for community groups

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The CLD Standards Council for Scotland highlights that community groups in Scotland are invited to apply for support as part of the ACE programme.  ACE stands for Achieving Community Empowerment and is funded by the Big Lottery Fund in Scotland (BIG).  It is a programme of support for community groups and within it the Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC) will provide at least 10 days of support for at least 10 groups a year.

For more information about the scheme, visit the CLD Standards Council website:

http://www.cldstandardscouncil.org.uk/News_Events/News/ACE_Support_for_Community_Groups

CPD, Dance, Drama, Music, Young People

Short Courses – Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

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The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland has published its 2012-13 programme of short courses for artists at all ages and stages to develop their skills in the performing and production arts. The programme offers specialist creative learning and teaching in dance, drama, music, production and screen, in a variety of formats ranging from weekly classes to learning events and summer schools.

The Conservatoire’s website www.rcs.ac.uk/shortcourses gives further information on the content of their courses and how to apply. Alternatively, you can download the programme here: Short Courses – Portfolio 12-13