Arts Development Projects
Arts Education in Practice: Professional Development Award
Children in Scotland managed the national pilot project of the Arts Education in Practice Professional Development Award - a new SQA accredited qualification for arts practitioners who work in either formal or informal education and community contexts in Scotland. The pilot project was supported by the Scottish Arts Council and Aberdeen City Council was involved from the outset in the steering group who planned the course, seeing a vital role for such a course in supporting artists to be prepared for working in community settings, and for ensuring communities get the quality 'cultural experience they deserve.
Mandy Clarke, a Community Arts Officer with considerable experience of working in the field, was one of nineteen arts practitioners participating in the pilot. A bronze casting project was devised as part of her work developed with
the Torry Community and chosen as her work based learning project. During this time she investigated her own art form and practice with the context of Arts Development work.
For further information about the Arts Education in Practice Professional Development Award pilot project visit the Children in Scotland website: www.childreninscotland.org.uk
Aberdeen and the Printed Word
2008 marked the 500th anniversary of the printed word. The important role Aberdeen played in the history of the printing word formed the basis of a City-wide arts and heritage project, tackling inequalities in Scottish Society.
The Arts Development Team, working alongside Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums, set out to investigate the local history of printing in Aberdeen. The project 'Aberdeen and the Printed Word' was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and enabled groups and individuals from Aberdeen to learn about the local heritage of printing, and the role literacy has played in life throughout the ages.
Arts Development staff recruited groups from both the City Centre and regeneration areas, whilst a researcher was brought in to scrutinise collections and guide the various groups. Groups were encouraged to access local resources and venues such as the City Archives, Central Library, Aberdeen Art Gallery, Provost Skene's House and Peacock Visual Arts, whilst taking part in a range of creative workshops, run by local artists, designed to bring hands-on understanding of various printing
processes.
The project culminated in an exhibition on show at Aberdeen Art Gallery from 18th April until the 17th May 2009. Exhibited are examples of creative writing, digital prints, ceramics, bronze casting, screen printing, collographs, embossing and three dimensional boxes. A booklet celebrating the heritage of printing in Aberdeen and a learning pack has also been produced and will be used for future projects.
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