Stirling Council Agenda Item No. 9

Date of Community Planning & Meeting: 7 November 2019 Regeneration Committee Not Exempt Culture Update Report

Purpose & Summary

This report provides Community Planning & Regeneration Committee with an update on recent cultural activity and developments in .

Recommendations

Committee is asked to: 1. consider and comment on the report.

Resource Implications

None.

Legal & Risk Implications and Mitigation

There are no risks associated with this report.

1. Background

1.1. Stirling Council supported cultural activity takes place primarily in our Council run venues: the Tolbooth, Albert Halls and Cowane Centre. There is also outreach work in a variety of communities across Stirling. 1.2. Stirling Council contributes to the Cultural Strategy themes: Improve the Quality of Life through Culture, Support our Creative Communities and Establish Culture as a Driving Force in Stirling’s Economy.

1.3. Stirling’s Partnership for Culture continues to drive the Cultural Strategy actions with Place Partnership as a priority. Organisations involved in the partnership are : The University of Stirling (Pathfoot Gallery), Forth Valley College, MacRobert Arts Centre, Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Sistema : Big Noise Project, Creative Stirling, Artlink Central, Historic Environment Scotland and Creative Scotland.

2. Considerations

2.1. The aim is to realise Stirling as a place where arts, creativity and culture are recognised and promoted as truly transformational to the future of all our communities, the economy and to the quality of life for all our citizens. 2.2. Through further developing opportunities to experience a wide range of high quality cultural and creative experiences, we can contribute to happier and healthier lives, tackle inequalities and build a renewed sense of community and civic pride. 2.3. Our cultural vision will enrich the cultural offering of Stirling for visitors and residents whilst widening access to, and participation in, cultural activity. 2.4. Council officers will lead the drive to place culture at the centre of our inclusive growth plans. We will use our own assets and teams to drive the culture agenda, and lead our partnership network through providing a consistent approach and clear direction with the strong leadership required to deliver on our cultural vision, aspirations and outcomes for Stirling. 2.5. The vision for the Tolbooth is to build on its local, national and international reputation to become a centre of excellence for music development and digital art through creative use of new technologies. 2.6. New projects include Tolbooth Projections, an innovative and creative project that has produced a series of live session videos filmed in the Tolbooth recording studio, featuring artists and bands who have developed their skills and early careers through the Tolbooth music development programme. The project aims to help progress the careers of some of our young people whilst celebrating the venue’s impact on the wider Scottish Music scene. 2.7. Initial research has been undertaken to bring new media and technologies to the Tolbooth and the gallery space through capital programme funding. The gallery will be a multi- functional, exciting space that can be used by all but also hired out for weddings, small performances, special events and meetings. It would not be a traditional ‘visiting gallery’. 2.8. The Tolbooth and Cowane Centre continue to offer a range of weekly workshops and classes in ceramics, art, painting, various instruments and traditional, jazz and music activities, as well as working with Feis Fhoirt to deliver Saturday workshops. 2.9. Our music development programme continues to reach young people in the city centre, Doune, Deanson and Cowie. The Youth Music Initiative funding supports work in Chartershall, St Modans and High Schools. These programmes give young people the opportunity to learn a variety of new skills, whether it be to learning to play an instrument, working as a team through band work or to develop song-writing skills. Feedback is overwhelmingly positive.

2.10. There are increased opportunities for both young people and adults through employability programmes, mentoring and school and college placements to develop skills and experience of working in the creative industries. The Tolbooth currently supports two foundation apprentices through Forth Valley College; an employability placement and a new Modern Apprentice in Cultural Operations (Events), part funded through the Runrig Legacy Employability Fund. 2.11. The Tolbooth programme continues to develop and grow, aiming to bring in new audiences and to offer new experiences and opportunities. As part of the Halloween Festival, the Tolbooth will host an exhibition dedicated to the history of accusations of witchcraft in Stirling, 'The Witching Hour’. The exhibition is free to attend and available to view in the Tolbooth gallery space from 16 October - 2 November, featuring digitised records from Stirling’s Archives, and work from local artist Dawn McLaren. There will be themed film screenings and a panel discussion featuring a variety of representatives and specialists from different fields, to ensure a fun and engaging event. 2.12. The vision for the Albert Halls is to ensure that we have a venue that is recognised for having a diverse and high quality programme, bringing new acts and performances of significant profile and interest. Good progress has been made in attracting new promoters to bring new performances and events to the venue. 2.13. The Albert Halls is the main venue for Bloody Scotland, held in September. This year tickets sales exceeded 10,000. An economic impact assessment is currently being carried out to demonstrate the festival’s overall benefit to Stirling. The festival will return next year on the weekend of 18 – 20 September 2020. 2.14. A business case is being drafted to outline the potential for venue expansion and/or improvement to existing facilities and equipment. 2.15. The vision for the Cowane Centre is to further develop the existing space and resource to become a regional centre for traditional skills with a particular focus on ceramics, coordinating provision and linking with other cultural partners including Forth Valley College and Creative Stirling. 2.16. The Cowane Centre continues to be an important community arts venue for Stirling and is regularly used by Riverside Drama and Scene 2 for rehearsals and productions. The Artist Studios provide a valuable space for emerging artists to develop their practice. 2.17. Stirling Council works closely with partners to support other creative projects, festivals and events including Stirling Photography Festival, Central Scotland Documentary Film Festival (MacRobert Arts Centre) and Metafest (CodeBase). 2.18. The programme for the 2019 Christmas Light Switch On has been expanded to include a night of comedy, music and a family afternoon min-fest at the Albert Halls. 2.19. The Winter Festival celebrations will include a range of live musical performances, ceilidhs, and two Hogmanay events on the Castle esplanade with an increased capacity this year of 2,500 for each performance. 2.20. Stirling’s Partnership for Culture has developed new Place Partnership priorities for the next two years to include: 2.20.1. the development of a targeted programme which supports and empowers communities to develop and create arts activity; 2.20.2. the development of a more collective approach to sharing and promoting existing activity; and 2.20.3. building on existing Place Partnership activity to continue support to artists and creative businesses to connect and develop. 2.21. The Place Partnership has tendered for a Coordinator to deliver on the priorities for years 2 and 3. This includes further roll out of activities, targeting hard to reach areas. This will ensure that the Place Partnership delivers across the area for all communities. 2.22. A new Cultural Partnership structure will be developed by December 2019 to better align with the Stirling Community Planning Partnership and Creative Scotland ambitions.

3. Implications

Equalities Impact 3.1. The contents of this report were assessed under the Council’s Equality Impact Assessment process. It was determined that an Equality Impact Assessment was not required as the report is procedural and considers progress on previously considered proposals. Fairer Scotland Duty 3.2. In preparing the contents of this report, in terms of Fairer Scotland Duty, due regard has been given to reducing inequalities of outcome caused by socio – economic disadvantage, and any such impacts in respect of the proposals set out in this report are contained in the EqIA Relevance Check. Sustainability and Environmental 3.3. There is no direct sustainability impact or impact on the Council’s duty relating to climate change. A Strategic Environmental Assessment is not required. Other Policy Implications 3.4. None. Consultations 3.5. There has been no direct consultations associated with this Report.

4. Background Papers

4.1. EqIA Relevance Check

5. Appendices

5.1. None.

Author of Report: Contact Details: Fiona McLean [email protected] Culture and Events Manager 01786 237528

Approved by: Date: 28 October 2019 Stuart Oliver Service Manager (Economic Development, Culture, Tourism and Events)

Details of Convener(s), Vice Convener(s), Councillor C Kane Portfolio Holder and Depute Portfolio Holder Councillor M Bennison consulted on this report:

Wards affected: All

Key Priorities: D - We will deliver inclusive economic growth and promote prosperity. We will deliver a City Region Deal and pursue policies and solutions that encourage high quality, high paying jobs into all of Stirling's communities.

Key Priority Considerations: Through delivery of our economic growth and regeneration strategies, and by using our City Region Deal as a significant driver, we will deliver sustainable economic growth across the Stirling area providing greater opportunities for all.

Stirling Plan Priority Outcomes: Prosperous - People are part of a prosperous economy (Local Outcomes Improvement Plan) that promotes inclusive growth opportunities across our communities Healthy - People are healthy and live active, full and positive lives within supportive communities Achieving - People are skilled and supported to make a positive contribution to our communities