Creative Learning empower people in Aberdeen to realise their potential through relevant creative and collaborative experiences which develop their skill set to enrich their lives.
Creative Learning is a city-wide service, prioritising projects based on identified need and working in partnership with others using arts, culture and creativity.
We have 3 areas of work:
- Supporting creative practitioners
- Supporting education
- Supporting communities
These areas are closely aligned to local priorities across Aberdeen.
Supporting Creative Practitioners
Culture Roundup from Culture Aberdeen
The Culture Roundup newsletter is distributed by Creative Learning on behalf of the Culture Aberdeen member organisations. Our monthly newsletter is for students, graduates, cultural workers and creative practitioners in Aberdeen.
Download our newsletter and stay connected with jobs and opportunities across the arts and creative industries in the city and beyond.
If you want to include your creative event, opportunity, or workshop in the newsletter, or subscribe/unsubscribe please email: cultureroundup@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards VACMA
Creative Learning manage the VACMA scheme for Aberdeen in partnership with Creative Scotland. VACMA is a programme of small grant schemes designed to support visual artists and craft makers, at all career stages, in their creative and professional development.
The purpose of the fund is to provide artists and craft makers with access to local funding and support to develop their creative practice.
The next deadline for applications in Aberdeen announced in 2024. For further information visit out VACMA page.
Sustaining Life as a Creative
Sustaining Life as a Creative (SLAAC) is our bespoke professional development programme that supports creatives who have already built up their artistic skills to a graduate or equivalent level and have an ongoing commitment to their creative practice.
Individuals may be finding it difficult to refine, sustain or move their practice forward. The programme builds on individuals’ skills, confidence and resilience required to pursue and sustain a career in the creative sector.
The programme involves reflective and practical learning with experienced mentors and guest speakers who will present their own creative journeys, share their experience and knowledge of how they develop and sustain their own creative practices.
If you are interested in finding out about more about the programme or would like to express your interest in future programmes get in touch creativelearningteam@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Creativity In Education
National Creative Learning Network Contact for Aberdeen City
Education Scotland and Creative Scotland have a shared commitment to advancing the creativity agenda in Scotland and supporting the development of a creative education system. They are supporting local authorities across Scotland to develop Creative Learning Networks (CLNs) which bring together all those with an interest in children and young people’s creative learning, including learners and parents, to form new partnerships and to work together ensuring that young people are getting the best creative learning experiences and opportunities possible.
The CLNs are helping to build our capacity as a creative nation, encouraging collaborative working across the Education, Culture and Communities sectors, with a strong focus on the importance of creativity as a vital element across all areas of learning, aiming ultimately to build young people’s confidence, achievements and skills for future life and work.
CLNs bring together practitioners and creative partners, providing high quality learning experiences, practical support and discussions on creative teaching, creative learning and the conditions in which they can flourish.
If you wish to learn more visit National Creative Learning Networks.
This Is Northfield - Creative Residencies
This is Northfield, is an Aberdeen City Council programme which will deliver four artists’ residencies within Northfield Academy from early 2023 until spring 2024.
Working with artists on projects themed around Creative Northfield, Resilient Northfield, Health and Wellbeing and What’s Your Treasure?, the programme is engaging with pupils, teachers and the wider school community to explore, discuss and celebrate the school and its community.
This is Northfield is being delivered by the Council’s Creative Learning team, together with a number of partners, including staff from the Archives, Gallery & Museums team who are responsible for the Treasure Hub.
Supporting Our Communities
ABZWorks
The team delivers one-to-one and small group creative workshops, enabling and empowering young people to build on their personal and employability skills and abilities using curiosity, open-mindedness, imagination and problem-solving.
The team works with young people with an interest in art and design, practical making, photography, digital media or who are interested in anything creative. Through these practical workshops, young people become more confident in themselves and their abilities. They also understand how these creative skills can be applied to their future work, life, and education.
Working with the Creative Learning team, young people can create a portfolio of work, assisting them to move towards an application to further education, training, or employment.
If you are interested in finding out more about the programme, please email: abzworks@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Contact details
Creative Learning Team
Top Floor
Rosemount Learning Centre
Belgrave Terrace
Aberdeen
AB25 2NS
01224 611161
creativelearningteam@aberdeencity.gov.uk
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