Two community arts programmes aimed at celebrating and fostering creativity, and a multi-artform project drawing links between Glasgow’s past and its present are among the Glasgow-based projects and research and development initiatives sharing in over £377,155 of National Lottery and Scottish Government funding through Creative Scotland in the latest round of Open Fund awards.
Writer, photographer and performer Stuart Ennis will use his funding to research and develop new work, Fiddler’s Close.Drawing from historical texts, maps and images, Ennis will combine new photographs, audio recordings and night walks around Glasgow’s High Street/Saltmarket area to create a 15–20-minute progress work of atmospheric audio-visual fiction.
Ennis describes the project as “a creative conversation with the ghosts of Glasgow’s High Street, Trongate and Saltmarket area, whose homes in the closes, wynds and vennels were demolished in the late 1800s,” adding: this funding allows me time to explore these ideas, and to develop my photographic work, which over years has become an important part of my creative practice.”
Dardishi‘s community-focused zine and arts Festival showcases Arab and North African womxn’s* contributions to contemporary art and culture. Alongside asits annual three-day festival held at the Centre for Contemporary Arts, publications, a collaboration with a Designer in Residence and year-round programme of online and in-person events including workshops and film screenings, this new funding will support the development of a designated community arts space, the ‘Dardishi Centre’.
Samar Ziadat, Dardishi said: “Dardishi is thrilled to have the continued support of Creative Scotland, especially in this time of uncertainty and change. This support will allow us to continue showcasing the creative work of Arab and North African womxn in Scotland, as well as undertaking the necessary research and development needed to thrive in this unique climate. We are looking forward to delivering our annual festival, year-round events and publications, and bringing new opportunities to our community in 2021.” *Dardishi’s use of the term womxn includes non-binary and intersex people and trans women.
Funding for Govanhill’s Glasgow Zine Library and community arts space will enable it to continue fostering creativity and offering accessible and affordable cultural experiences for the local community.
Commenting, Glasgow Zine Library said: “Despite the challenges of 2020, Glasgow Zine Library remains committed to educating as many people as possible in the creative power of zines, zine-making, and DIY culture. Even though we had to move a lot of our programme online this year, including our annual festival, that hasn’t stopped us developing and strengthening our links with our community and our fellow organisations.
“With this funding, we look forward to continuing to deliver a strong programme of interesting, affordable, accessible events to our growing audience, in Scotland and around the world. We want to build on our platform and continue to promote zine culture in the manner in which they were meant to be used: as a creative outlet, giving voices and opportunities to those who might otherwise lack them.”
Other Glasgow-based projects receiving funding in this round of Open Funding include: Odd Socks, a new puppetry performance from Nikki Kalliman; Roxana, a new play from Laurie Motherwell; Braw Screen, a moving image work of circus and physical performance from Aerial Edge; artistic tutoring and mentoring projectThe New Art School; the debut album from The Dunts; How To Have a Lifestyle, a new work of theatre from Michael Eliot-Finchand Aodhan Gallagher; virtual exhibition, Wretched Light Industry; Dancing in the Streets, a participatory doorstep performance programme from MegaHertz; All Things Must Change (working title), a new musical from Raw Material Arts; and new singles from singer songwriter Jack Badcock.
These projects are just some of 47 across Scotland receiving a total of 849K in this round of funding.
Iain Munro, Chief Executive, Creative Scotland said: “From exploring common experiences in newly imagined ways, to safely bringing tuition and mentoring to people across the country, these projects reflect the resilience, innovation and determination of Scotland’s creative community as this most challenging of years draws to a close.
“Made possible by the generosity of National Lottery players, who raise £30 million for good causes across the UK every week, and funding from the Scottish Government, these awards are helping to sustain the immense value that creativity adds to our lives.”
A full list of recipients of Open Fund awards is available on the Creative Scotland website.
Image: Fiddlers’ Close, Stuart Ennis
