PURPOSE of REPORT to Consider a Revenue Funding Bid from Fèisean Nan Gàidheal for 2018/19
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COMATAIDH BUILEACHAIDH PLANA CÀNAN 19 FEBRUARY 2018 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE 21 FEBRUARY 2018 FÈISEAN NAN GÀIDHEAL REVENUE FUNDING 2018/19 Report by Director of Development PURPOSE OF REPORT To consider a revenue funding bid from Fèisean nan Gàidheal for 2018/19. COMPETENCE 1.1 There are no legal, financial, equalities or other constraints to the recommendations being implemented. Provision exists within the Development Department and Sgiobha na Gaidhlig Revenue Budgets. SUMMARY 2.1 Since 2009 the Comhairle have awarded funding to Fèisean nan Gàidheal on an annual basis to be devolved to six (increasing to seven in 2013) island Fèisean and to support the post of Western Isles Fèis Development Officer. This enables seven week long community- based Gaelic arts tuition festivals to take place between April and August in the Outer Hebrides, plus a varied programme of classes and additional projects throughout the year. 2.2 The Fèis movement has helped ensure that Scottish Gaelic traditions are passed onto new generations of children in the Outer Hebrides, interests in traditional music, song, dance and Gaelic drama are sparked and life-enhancing skills developed. Many Fèis participants have gone on to further study and successful careers in the Creative Industries. The annual Fèis week and year round activities create employment opportunities for traditional artistes based in the Outer Hebrides. 2.3 Fèisean activities enhance the quality of life in remote communities across the islands, helping to make these communities attractive places to bring up a family. The review of the Funding Agreement for 2017-18 has concluded that Fèisean nan Gàidheal has met all requirements, that current arrangements work effectively, delivering a wide ranging and vibrant programme of cultural and creative activity throughout the Outer Hebrides and providing significant economic and social benefits within the local economy. RECOMMENDATION 3.1 It is recommended that, subject to the satisfactory conclusion of a one year Funding Agreement for 2018/19, the Comhairle approve funding of £12,800 (£6,400 from Arts Revenue and £6,400 from Sgioba na Gàidhlig Revenue Budget) to Fèisean nan Gàidheal, to be devolved to seven Outer Hebrides Fèisean and to support the post of Western Isles Fèis Development Officer. Contact Officer: Elsie Mitchell Arts Development Officer 01851 822 695 Appendix: Western Isles and Isle of Skye Ceilidh Trail 2017 Background Papers: Report to Sustainable Development Committee, 1 March 2017 BACKGROUND 4.1 Fèisean nan Gàidheal (FnG) is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. It was established in 1988 as the independent umbrella association of the Fèis movement. The organisation offers a wide range of support services including; a grant scheme to support the main Fèisean and on-going instrument classes, a musical instrument bank, a centrally run disclosure service, comprehensive insurance and regular training opportunities to staff, Fèisean committee members and tutors. 4.2 Membership of FnG is open to Fèisean that are tuition based, for young people aged eight to eighteen, with a significant Gaelic language element, as well as tuition of music and song from the Scottish Gaelic tradition. “As an organisation Fèisean nan Gàidheal aspires to developing the creative talent of young people, recognising their skills, supporting opportunities across Scotland to access and enjoy Gaelic arts and culture and promoting the traditional arts and the Gaelic language as unique and defining assets that contribute to Scotland’s distinctiveness”. FnG Annual Report 2016 4.3 A team of three development officers (one of whom is based in Lewis) and a Senior Development Officer are employed to maintain regular communication and offer on-going support to Fèisean with regard to grant applications, external fund-raising, organisation of events and policy implementation. 4.4 FnG and member Fèisean develop the content of Gaelic language across all activities. Individual Gaelic development plans are devised for each Fèis to ensure progress and staff are offered continued support with translation materials. 4.5 Since 2009 the Comhairle have awarded funding to FnG on an annual basis to be devolved to six (increasing to seven in 2013) island Fèisean and to support the post of Western Isles Fèis Development Officer (WIFDO). This enables seven week long community-based Gaelic arts tuition festivals to take place between April and August in the Outer Hebrides plus a varied programme of classes and additional projects during the year. 4.6 The role of the (WIFDO) is to assist all seven Outer Hebrides based Fèis committees in running and developing their activities and to implement Fèisean nan Gaidheal’s Development Plan within various communities. The post is ultimately responsible to the FnG Board of Directors, but is managed day to day by the organisation’s Development Manager. Annual reports have shown that the Outer Hebrides Fèisean support the continuation of this post as vital to the future sustainability and viability of their Fèis. In addition to creating and sustaining the full-time (WIFDO) post, part-time work is also created to support the administration of each individual Fèis. 4.7 Many Fèis participants have gone on to further study and employment in the Creative Industries. Even for those that follow a different career path the self-discipline, concentration, self-confidence and team work that learning an instrument or taking part in Fèis activities entails, increases employability. For young people submitting a Universities and Colleges Admissions Statement, participation in their local Fèis can strengthen their personal statement and enhance their chances of acceptance onto a University or College course, in any field of study. The annual Fèis week and year round activities create employment opportunities for traditional artistes based throughout the Outer Hebrides, often former Fèis participants themselves. 4.8 The Fèisean are well attended primarily by local children and young people with over 600 young people attending the main Fèis weeks and over 100 participants in follow on classes throughout the islands. The Fèis movement has helped ensure that Scottish Gaelic traditions are passed onto new generations of children in the Outer Hebrides, interests in traditional music, song, dance and Gaelic drama are sparked and life-enhancing skills developed. In 2017: Fèis Tìr a’Mhurain held in Iochdar on South Uist from 10 – 14 July had 117 participants. They learned various musical instruments including Accordian, Harp, Drums, Chanter, Fiddle and Tin Whistle. Tuition was also offered in Gaelic singing, art, drama, Highland dancing, shinty and media skills, all delivered through the medium of Gaelic. The Fèis Fun Run opened the week with 40 competitors. There was a Tutors’ Cèilidh in Stoneybridge Hall, attended by around 100 people, an informal music session in the Lochboisedale Hotel where the young participants played alongside their tutors in an informal environment and the week ended with the Children’s Concert showcasing their new skills. Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich held in Stornoway from 24 - 28 July had 115 participants, plus a group of young people on an exchange programme from Club Oige Luraigh in County Derry. All participants took part in singing, drama and music classes culminating in the final concert at the end of the week to display their skills and talents. The Irish group also prepared their own play in Scottish Gaelic which was given a standing ovation. In addition to the Fèis activities a Cèilidh was held at the Caladh Inn with performances by the tutors and the Teen Fèis which gathered an audience of around 50. Fèis Tìr an Eòrna, held in Bayhead, North Uist from 3 - 7 July, had 70 children taking part in traditional music, gaelic song, drama, and shinty. A Fèis Bheag was introduced for children aged 5-8, attended by 16 children. A tutors’ Cèilidh was held midweek attended by an audience of 50 locals and holidaymakers. The children performed the songs and music learned at Fèis week at the Children’s Concert on the Friday afternoon which had an audience of over 60 people. Fèis Bharraigh, held in Castlebay from 10 – 14 July was attended by 108 children who could choose to learn a range of instruments, step dancing, singing, shinty and drama. The week began with a well-attended Sunday Dance with the popular Cèilidh band Trail West. A children’s Cèilidh was held on the Tuesday night, a mid-week tutors’ Cèilidh was held on the Wednesday attended by 50+ people. A highly successful week ended with the Children’s Concert on Friday afternoon. Fèis Taigh Dhonnchaidh, held in Ness from 10 – 14 April consisted of the main Fèis attended by 14 children and Fèis Nis attended by 20 children aged 5-8 years. The main fèis participants learned from a choice of instruments in addition to classes in Gaelic Song, Gaelic drama, Highland Dancing and Visual Art. The final concert on the Saturday had a good attendance from parents, relatives and the local community. Fèis Eilean na Hearadh, held in Tarbert from 3 – 7 July was attended by 101 children. This included the Fèis Club, Junior Fèis, main Fèis and Teen Fèis. This was the Fèis’s 25th anniversary. In addition to tuition in the usual Fèis subjects the Teen Fèis participants took part in kayaking, mountain biking, photography and a masterclass in film making. Their final film was entered into the Gaelic Film making competition FilmG. A tutors’ Cèilidh was held on the Wednesday attracting an audience of 50+ and the Children’s Concert at the end of the week was well attended. Fèis an Rubha held at Garrabost from 31 July to 4 August had 60 participants in total with 20 of those attending the Croileagan class. There were also classes for the 5 to 7 age range and the main Fèis for older children.