SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE 21 FEBRUARY 2018
AN LANNTAIR REVENUE FUNDING 2018/19
Report by Director of Development
PURPOSE OF REPORT To consider a revenue funding bid by An Lanntair Ltd. 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 Arts Revenue Budget.
SUMMARY
2.1 An Lanntair Arts Centre (An Lanntair) is a nationally acclaimed and internationally renowned cultural hub. Comhairle support enables An Lanntair to deliver a year round programme of high quality visual art exhibitions, performing arts events, cinema screenings and educational activities which provide significant economic and social benefits for the Outer Hebrides.
2.2 Creative Scotland has acknowledged An Lanntair’s achievements and status by awarding the organisation £1,210,000 in three year Regular Funding for the period to 2018-2021. This releases an average of £403,333 per annum, with no increase on their 3 year Regular Funding Award for the period 2015/18. The bidding process for three year Regular Funding by organisations throughout Scotland was extremely competitive. A target figure of £69, 350 per annum in partnership funding from the Comhairle was an important factor in the leverage of this significant sum from Creative Scotland.
2.3 An Lanntair Ltd. and its trading subsidiary An Lanntair Trading currently employs 49 individuals across the organisation from programmers and curators to hospitality and catering staff. In addition to PAYE staff An Lanntair annually generates work for approximately 32 freelance artists based in the Outer Hebrides via the Education, Exhibitions and Performing Arts Programme.
2.4 An Lanntair is a critical component of the tourism and creative/cultural sector in the Outer Hebrides. Continued funding from the Comhairle will enable the organisation to further develop its potential to deliver an exceptional programme of arts activity, attract more visitors and establish a pattern of financial sustainability.
RECOMMENDATION
3.1 It is recommended that, subject to the satisfactory conclusion of a one year Funding Agreement for 2018/19 and to the repayment of the sum of £3,415 due under Prudential Borrowing arrangements, the Comhairle approve funding of £69,350 from the Arts Revenue Budget to An Lanntair Ltd.
Contact Officers: Elsie Mitchell Arts Development Officer 01851 822 695 Appendices: 1. An Lanntair: Projected Income & Expenditure Statement Year 2018-19 2. An Lanntair: Summary Accounts for year ended 31 March 2017
Background Papers: Report to Sustainable Development Committee, 1 March 2017 BACKGROUND
4.1 An Lanntair Arts Centre was established as a charitable trust in 1985 and is currently in its 32nd year of operation. Originally based in premises in Stornoway Town Hall, An Lanntair expanded significantly in 2005 when a new purpose built arts centre, at a total build cost of £5.3 million, was officially opened.
4.2 The capital project was made possible by a National Lottery Award from the Scottish Arts Council of £3,060,080 – one of the largest awards made in Scotland from National Lottery Funds. This was a reflection of the strategic national importance of the organisation to the Scottish Arts Council and An Lanntair’s role in helping to ensure a more equitable geographic spread of cultural provision across Scotland.
4.3 The new venue dramatically enhanced arts facilities in the Outer Hebrides. Housed under one roof are a large gallery, with further display areas throughout the building, a 250 seat auditorium with back-stage changing rooms/ green room for performers, education room, large office space, staff room, bar, restaurant, kitchen, reception area and retail facility. The multi-function auditorium is fully equipped to act as a performing arts space, a cinema and a conference venue. Retractable seating and walls enable the space to cater for larger numbers, standing performances, dances and cèilidhs.
4.4 An Lanntair is well supported by the local community and is the most attended visitor attraction in the Outer Hebrides with an ‘estimated, 221,000 visitors to An Lanntair overall in 2015/16’ and an increase on this figure in subsequent years. An Lanntair: Application to Creative Scotland for 3 year regular funding 2018-2021
4.5 The Centre services an immediate population of 12,015 (Stornoway and its environs) with a secondary catchment population of 20,473 (covering Lewis and Harris) these figures represent 45% and 77% of the total Outer Hebrides population respectively.
4.6 An Lanntair provide an annual year round programme of contemporary art exhibitions, performing arts events, film screenings and related education and outreach activity. The organisation’s Mission is “to connect and inspire people in producing extraordinary, creative programmes, uniquely rooted in the place and reflecting the arts and ideas of our time.”
4.7 From an initial staff of 2 job creation placements, An Lanntair has provided stable employment to a significant number of people since 1985. An Lanntair Limited and its trading subsidiary An Lanntair Trading currently employs 49 individuals across the organisation from programmers and curators to hospitality and catering staff. This includes 8 new posts which were created in 2016 -17. In addition to PAYE staff An Lanntair annually generates work for approx. 32 freelance artists based in the Western Isles via the Education, Exhibitions and Performing Arts Programme. Self-employed musicians, visual artists and crafts makers are supported via sales of their work in the An Lanntair shop, the gallery and at performances. Local businesses also benefit from supplying an Lanntair with the resources needed for their catering offer and administration.
4.8 In 2016/17, the most recent full financial year, An Lanntair spent £213,900 directly back into the local economy on local suppliers. In addition to the financial support offered by the Comhairle, the organisation levered in £681,571 in grants from other sources. This additional grant funding makes a significant impact on the Creative Industries sector in the Outer Hebrides and would not otherwise have come to the area. It included Creative Scotland (CS) - £433,333 (Regular Funding); CS £87,227 (Project Funding); Highlands and Islands Enterprise -£20,696; Western Isles NHS Board - £3900, Bord na Gàidhlig - £12,500; Visit Scotland - £15,046; Life Changes Trust - £57,864; Point & Sandwick Trust £10,000; The Baxter Foundation £1,340; Esmee Fairbairn Foundation £25,000; Alzheimers Scotland £3,900; Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project £2000; Inverness Architect’s Association £2,500; Taigh Innse Gall £1000; William Grant Foundation - £10,000 and The Western Isles Architects Group - £9,500. In 2017-18, An Lanntair also led on a major piece of research into the Gaelic Arts, which will bear fruition in 2018.19
4.9 Creative Scotland has acknowledged An Lanntair’s achievements and status by awarding the organisation £1,210,000 in three year Regular Funding for the period to 2018-2021. This releases an average of £403,333 per annum, with no increase on their 3 year Regular Funding Award for the period 2015/18. The bidding process for 3 year Regular Funding by organisations throughout Scotland was extremely competitive. An Lanntair submitted a robust case for continued funding and have been appropriately rewarded. This decision will be of great benefit to the communities they serve for the next 3 years.
AWARD WINNING PROGRAMME
5.1 The facilities, staffing levels and provision of stable core funding enable An Lanntair to deliver a wide and varied arts programme which has been recognised with a growing number of awards over the years.
1995 Arts and Tourism Trophy for Calanais: The Atlantic Stones 10th anniversary exhibition, publication and CD
2003 Scottish Arts Council: Innovative Visual Arts Education Award
2007 Traditional Music Venue of the Year
2009 Clore Performing Arts Award for Trumpets to the Sky – a sculpture and music outreach project with children organised in partnership with the Hebridean Celtic Festival.
2010 ABSA award for engaging with Harris Tweed Hebrides
2015 Creative Place Award: Creative Scotland (the result of a partnership bid led by An Lanntair)
2016 Scottish Dementia Awards category for Best Dementia Friendly Community Initiative
2017 Shortlisted for Venue of the Year at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards
2017 Scottish Gaelic Awards: Alex Macdonald, Head of Performing Arts at An Lanntair won the Arts and Culture Award for the most outstanding contribution to Gaelic Culture in 2016/17
5.2 The ‘Creative Place Award 2015’ has seen An Lanntair working with a diverse partnership of organisations including the Comhairle, Lews Castle College, the Harris Tweed Authority, the Stornoway Port Authority, the Hebridean Celtic Festival, Ionad Hoirt and Outer Hebrides Tourism to deliver the ‘Bealach’ Project over 2015 – 17. ‘Bealach’ sought to represent the Isles of Lewis and Harris as the ‘gateway’ and ‘passage’ into the Gaelic culture, creative communities and landscape of the Outer Hebrides. There have been innovative artist’s residencies; world class Gaelic music and performing arts in intriguing and unusual places; arts trails; curated exhibitions; mentoring support for young emerging artists and programmes of staff development raising the quality of the visitor experience. An Lanntair’s artistic programme throughout 2015/17 was significantly enhanced by the Creative Places Award.
5.3 The Gaelic Psalm Project, a major commission within the Bealach programme was a superb example of An Lanntair engaging with new audiences. For the first time, Free Church ministers and their congregation were seen on the An Lanntair stage and in the audience. The new composition, entitled ‘Ballantyne’, was created by local musician and composer Calum Martin, and internationally renowned classical composer Craig Armstrong. The resulting concert featured both the new piece and a diverse programme which celebrated the spiritual music of the Islands. Musicians who took part included members of the Scottish Ensemble, local cellist – and former member of the Ensemble - Neil Johnstone, Highland fiddle player Duncan Chisholm and a host of psalm singers from throughout Lewis and Harris. It brought forward the strength and power of the Gaelic psalm tradition to a diverse audience. It also brought together world class composers, musicians and a classical conductor with Gaelic psalm singers in a beautiful new work and partnership which was enthusiastically received by the audience, and justifiably led to the Scottish Gaelic Award for An Lanntair’s Head of Performing Arts.
EVENTS
6.1 Around 300 performing arts events and cinema screenings take place at An Lanntair per year. Events encompass a wide range of performances including classical, jazz, opera, rock and world music, drama, dance and a cinema programme of both popular block-buster films and art house cinema. The cinema programme provides an important service particularly for young people and families. There is an average of three cinema showings per week where it is possible to programme around other events or gigs taking place.
6.2 The Performing Arts programme in 2017 - 18 included: Classic Rock Night – featuring members from five local rock bands; Jabuti Puppet Theatre (with workshops for children); Shoe – Crazy Glue theatre show (with workshop for children); RURA – 2016 winners of “Best Live Trad Act”; Elaine C Smith – comedy show in conjunction with STV; Adam Holmes and the Embers – with support Rachel Sermani; Skippinish; Craig Hill – Comedy, two shows An Lanntair and Tarbert, Harris; John Bishop - comedy; Libby Kock and John Hawthorn; Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain; National Theatre of Scotland - The Rocket Post (children’s theatre with workshops); Moonbeam on a cat’s ear (children’s theatre with workshops); Glasgow Life Theatre Co. – Gaelic Double Bill with schools matinee; Scottish Opera; The Mae Trio – Australian band; Without a Hitch – Hip Hop show with workshops; Session A9; Child of the Divide by Sudha Bhuchar – A remarkable story of family, identity and belonging; marking the 70th anniversary of the partition of India; Martin Taylor and Ulf Wakenius – the Jazz world’s best known guitarists; Ivan Ilic – classical pianist; Whyte – new Gaelic Electronica band; The Broken Ravens – local metal band; LGBT events programme; Open Day Rotation – album launch and concert for this popular local band; “Deeds not Words” by Rural Nations – a major new play about women getting the vote in the Western Isles; Theatre Gu Leor – “Ceilidh”, a play based around the Gaelic traditions of song and storytelling.
6.3 An Lanntair continue to work in conjunction with Beyond Promotions and in 2017 had performances by Hunter and the Bear, Phil Jupitus and Scouting for Girls, and joined forces with Drunken Promotions, the local Americana group, to co-host an event in August 17. Concerts by the local Mòd, Blas Festival and UHI also took place in the auditorium, and both the local and visiting panto productions were held at An Lanntair in December and January.
6.4 An innovation within the 2017 was ‘Hebridean Sessions’ a new programme of support for emerging talented musicians and acts from the Outer Hebrides. Wee Studio, in partnership with An Lanntair and Black Bay Studio put on a live music video festival and music industry support programme. This aimed to equip talented musicians from the Outer Hebrides with the profile, confidence and wherewithal they need to successfully launch their careers in today’s music industry. Outer Hebridean musicians and bands were invited to submit applications to have the chance to be part of the festival, which took place 18th to 21st September 2017. The successful applicants covered an eclectic mix of genre, age and style - The Beinn Lee Ceilidh Band, Rosie Sullivan, Eleanor Nicolson, The Sea Atlas, Ian Schouten, Sean Harrison Band, The Tumbling Souls and The Broken Ravens. Each act received the following support: Live Performance Videos - Three of their own original tracks filmed and multi-track recorded of a live performance on the main stage at An Lanntair. Recording - Tracks edited and mixed at Wee Studio. Performance - Opportunity to perform on the last night of the festival week, on the An Lanntair stage in front of a packed audience. Tailored mentoring and PR support in the lead up and after the festival week from highly connected, music industry specialists and access to a series of industry-focused workshops.
FESTIVALS
7.1 An Lanntair, with its purpose built space and dedicated arts programme team was ideally equipped to present a series of multi art form festivals across the financial year 2017-18. It began in April with the ‘Fèill Ceáird is Còcairachd: Craft & Cookery Festival’. This involved a spring tide foraging event, a banquet of foraged food, a Harris Tweed Bike Ride and an all- Saturday, all-culture food and craft event throughout the building, with music by a band of young local traditional players. ‘Oirthir – edge of the land’, the April/May exhibition in the café bar and mezzanine galleries complimented the festival with work by artists from the Uists and Lewis exploring the elements, botany and creatures of the Hebridean coastline. As did the Epic award winning Barra Bunting, a chain of textile flags made by over 200 residents and visitors to the Isle of Barra, which hung above the bar/café and drew many admiring comments. Particular highlights from the festival were the sharing of food traditions by families from Syria, Poland, and India alongside classic Hebridean dishes, and a range of craft stalls by makers from the Uists, Lewis and Harris, which demonstrated the high quality of locally handmade art and craft products to be found on a wider journey throughout the island chain. Craft stall holders from Uist were given support to travel to the festival and all exhibiting makers received small grants to enhance their displays. In addition to promoting their wares to a large audience the event proved to be a great opportunity to network with makers from other parts of the island. The whole 2 day festival themed around food and craft was extremely well received by both local audiences and visitors to the island, and showed strong potential for growth in future years.
7.2 During the Hebridean Celtic Festival, in July an Lanntair hosts afternoon and evening concerts, workshops and acts as the Gaelic and club stages. In 2017 the second Between Islands commission opened the festival. This was based on the fiddle traditions of the three Island groups and featured Jane Macmillan (Lewis), Louise Bichan (Orkney) and Maggie Adamson (Shetland) with support from an inter-island cast of musicians. Purvai took place in August; The Hebrides International Film Festival in September 2017, (in partnership with organisers Rural Nations). Faclan in October, led into a Winter Festival in November, December and January, granted funded by Events Scotland.
7.3 A new initiative based around St Andrews Day provided a week of classic, indie, Gaelic, archive and new Scottish film for all ages, a concert by indie artist Blue Rose Code, a supporting menu of Scottish food and drink including a special Scottish gin tasting event, a themed quiz night followed by a traditional session led by local musicians. Over the festive season local band Horo provided a family ceilidh night, and a now regular annual gathering of local musicians – Willie Campbell and Friends brought together members of indie, trad, Gaelic, classical and rock bands from the Island for a one-off concert. An alternative Burn’s Night was held in January 18, with a specially commissioned concert by local Cellist, Neil Johnstone, who arranged the music of Burns for strings, accompanied by Jane Macmillan (viola), Rhona Johnstone (fiddle) and Andy Yearly (piano) with Gaelic versions of the songs performed by Ceitlin Smith. The café bar provided a fully supporting menu of modern Burns night cuisine to complete the Winter Festival.
7.4 ‘Ultima Thule: Faclan 2017’, was the most successful annual Hebridean Book Festival to date in terms of ticket sales and received extremely complimentary and positive feedback from audiences, participants, authors and project partners. In a survey of visitors 100% of survey respondents rated their Faclan 2017 event as Very Good or Good, with 74% rating it as Very Good. 64% rated the entire festival as Excellent, and 36% rated it as Good. The programme included Carolyne Larrington on ‘Winter is Coming: The Mediaeval World of Game of Thrones’; Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough on ‘Beyond the Northlands: Viking Voyages and the Old Norse Sagas’ and Icelandic photographer Ragnar ‘Rax’ Axelsson on ‘The Last Days of the Arctic’. Adam Nicolson appeared with his acclaimed new book ‘The Seabird’s Cry’. Gaelic publisher Acair’s 40th anniversary was celebrated with an evening of historical photography in the Islands presented by Finlay Macleod and Murdo Macleod; John Stuart Murray discussed his new book ‘Litreachas na Tìre’ (The Gaelic Landscape in Literature); Christopher Fleet from the NLS spoke on Mapping Scotland’s Islands. Screenings are a popular and an integral part of the festival offering a rare opportunity to watch an interesting and eclectic range of films on the big screen, for example – ‘Winter is Coming’ (the first episode of Game of Thrones) ‘Lost Horizon’: Frank Capra 1937 and ‘The Epic of Everest’: 1924. Closing Faclan was the legendary mountaineer Doug Scott, who along with Dougal Haston was the first British climber to scale Everest.
7.5 Faclan 2017 achieved a great deal of positive national press/media coverage. This not only promotes the vibrant programme at An Lanntair to a wider audience. It is an extremely effective marketing tool for the Outer Hebrides as a culturally rich visitor destination, with one of the most beautiful and wild landscapes in Europe.
25.09.17 - “ My Mountains: Doug Scott” - UKHillwalking.com 13.10.17 - “Collection of lost Gaelic words to be revived” - The Scotsman 13.10.17 - “Abandoned temperance hotel for fishermen brought back to life” - The Scotsman 14.10.17 - “Critics choice: Hyperborea” Beyond the North Wind - The Herald 22.10.17 – “Some things can only be said in Gaelic “ The Herald 23.10.17 – “Arts News: far away book festival” – The Herald 23.10.17 – Profile Stunning aerial photography maps Scotland's 'wild places' at Stornoway's Faclan book festival” – The National 24.10.17 - “Annual islands book festival Faclan to open” – BBC News 25.10.17 – BBC Scotland radio – Lunchtime interview with Roddy Murray about Faclan
Investment in a dedicated marketing budget and staff with expertise in this field has seen a step change in the quantity and range of media attention that an Lanntair’s Arts programme has generated in recent years.
7.6 Purvai, the South Asian arts festival, was a spectacular success with large and sustained audiences. The main festival events took place from 10th to 19th August 2017 but the overall programme ran until the end of November 2017. The Purvai Schools Programme ran throughout the year from March.
7.7 Purvai 2017 marked a historic event in Stornoway - the first ever exhibition of Colin Mackenzie’s India Collections - ‘Collector Extraordinaire’. Colin Mackenzie, one of Scotland's most famous 19th century explorers, was born in Stornoway in 1753. He went on to lead a life of travel, discovery and exploration in India as a solider, engineer, cartographer, polymath and collector, ending a long career as the First Surveyor general of All India. The exhibition included a range of wonderful material generously on loan from the British Museum, British Library and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The exhibition was created in partnership with Museum Nan Eilean. The inspirational skills and thorough research of Catherine Maclean: Curator of Purvai, perfectly complimented the expertise of Comhairle staff in the conservation and display of heritage objects, to create an extremely high quality of exhibition, in the gallery at Lews Castle, from August – November 2017. This is exactly the type of project envisaged when the new facility was developed and was an important part of the offer to the tourist sector in the Autumn/Winter. As part of Scotland’s Year of History Heritage and Archaeology, Purvai 2017 and the ‘Collector Extraordinaire’ exhibition engaged audiences with the rich history that exists between India and Scotland, celebrating and exploring the South Asian cultural heritage that is an integral part of Scotland and the wider UK today.
7.8 Mackenzie’s Collection provided the context and inspiration for creative collaborations between artists. Truly exceptional was the commissioned score: ‘Yatra’ (meaning, Journey), inspired by the journey of Colin Mackenzie, from the Isle of Lewis to India in 1783. Composer Dalbir Singh Rattan led a diverse collective of musicians to create and perform the score – visiting artists Aziz Ibrahim, Kaviraj Singh Dhadyalla, and Seetal Kaur Dhadyalla collaborated with Hebridean artists Anna Murray, Mary Smith, Ceitlin Smith, Alan Johnstone, Rhona Johnstone and Jane Hepburn. The music, dance and visuals depicted and charted Mackenzie’s journey through traditional Gaelic vocal songs of islanders travel and seafaring, through to the traditional Indian raag and folk music which Mackenzie would have experienced and encountered during his life of exploration in India. A historical journey made alive and present through artists working now, representing traditions in a progressive and innovative way, which received a standing ovation from a sell-out audience. ‘Yatra’ was just one of a series of outstanding events and activities in the festival, which culminated with a series of Saturday concerts, where local children demonstrated their skills in Tabla, to an arts centre packed with every generation of family. As a part of the Purvai programme, which continues into 2018 with national and international artist exchanges, ‘Yatra’ will be performed in India, at the Queen Elizabeth Cup Reception on the 9th February and at the India Museum on the 10th February. This creates a new platform for an Lanntair’s work and raises the profile of island based artists and the cultural traditions of the Outer Hebrides internationally.
7.9 2018/19 will see An Lanntair add to this menu of festivals, concentrating on the ‘low’, winter to spring season, with a primary focus on attracting new and additional tourists to the islands and establishing these events as key visitor attractions in the annual island calendar. A successful application for Leader funding will see the launch of the Outer Hebrides Festival of Dark Skies (February 2019) an enhanced Hebridean Food and Craft Festival (March): Faclan Fringe – an expansion of The Hebridean Book Festival (October) and a brand new International Festival of Gaelic Arts (November). Funding has also been secured to celebrate the “Year of Young People”. An Lanntair are planning “Las: Ignite” for a week in October 2018, a festival of young creative talent, curated by young people, for everyone. Every single element of the festival, from the administration of the event, curation of the programme, to facilitation of the activities and performances themselves, will be carried out by young people from the Outer Hebrides.
7.10 Within the Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership (OHCPP) Economic Regeneration Strategy to 2020, the growth of the Creative Industries and the development of tourism are identified as opportunities. The 2017-18 programme and plans for 2018.19 at An Lanntair greatly assist with the development of two of the key actions for Tourism to “endorse and support the promotion of the Outer Hebrides as a unique island hopping destination, with a rich heritage, an outstanding natural environment, and a vibrant food, art and craft culture” and to “consolidate the festival and events market”.
EXHIBITIONS
8.1 An annual programme of around 6 exhibitions are programmed in the main gallery space, with additional shows in display areas in the foyer, bar and upper corridor. The exhibition programme aims to provide access to national and international art, to promote and support Gaelic Language and culture and to provide opportunities for artists based in the Outer Hebrides to exhibit their work.
8.2 The main gallery shows in 2017/18 consisted of:
Ropes of Sand an ‘emergents’ show from the Art Space Nature Masters Programme at Edinburgh College of Art. with an interesting range of responses to the Hebridean Environment by multi-national students from the United Arab Emirates, China, Indonesia, China, USA, France as well as Scotland and England.
Naked Craft, was a Scottish-Canadian show that featured work that highlights trends in current international craft practice. It was an excellent resource and framework for the education programme, which ran a comprehensive range of workshops and talks for secondary school pupils and local creative industry businesses to accompany the show.
Grinneas nan Eilean, the annual showcase for the local creative community was held for the first time in the summer months, during the HebCelt Festival. There were 300 works and sales totalled just over £9k.
Duthchas is Dualchas: Instinct and Heritage by glass artist Shaun Fraser exhibited the results of a residency in 2016 in Uig, a partnership project between an Lanntair and the Bhaltos Trust. Spare, austere, monochrome but authentic, innovative and beautiful, this was work by a young emergent artist from the Highlands working at the highest level.
Hyporborea: Lands of the North aligned with Faclan, brought together the work of three photographers. Ragnar Axelsson, one of the world’s leading documentary photographers with work published in the New York Times, National Geographic and Time. Alex Boyd, a recipient of the Comhairle in partnership with Creative Scotland’s Visual Artist and Craft- maker Awards, well known for his brooding landscapes using antique processes, exhibited new work made in the Hebrides, and from the series ‘The Land of Maybe’ made over several years and journeys to The Faroe Islands. Chris Friel used digital techniques to make haunting and ethereal works which explore time and place. ‘After’ was a moving response to the loss of his son Joe, who took his own life in December 2016; made over the course of a single day in the landscapes of Lewis and Harris.
Palimpsest by Lennox Dunbar featured some 40 original works. The concept is that of landscape as a page that has been erased and written over many times (like a mediaeval manuscript), specifically referencing the Hebrides.
Weaving Ghosts: by Lois Walpole is based on personal experience of the Shetland landscape and basket-making tradition only using the tidal swathe of polypropylene ropes and assorted plastics combined with natural materials from the same locations. Plastics have been a major contributor to the demise of rural basketry traditions. Many of the ropes and containers once hand-made out of natural materials for fishing and farming are now manufactured from polymers and plastics. The two things are inextricably linked and this connection informs this body of work.
The programming year will conclude with an exhibition of female photographers in the Hebrides and other Islands, including the work of young recent Hebridean arts graduates, curated by An Lanntair Artist Support Officer, Alex Boyd and Roseanne Parr.
8.3 Mezzanine and Bar Shows featured: Joanne Kaar’s work from the Sùileachan residency; an exhibition of female artists for International Women’s Day. A new body of work by local artist Geoff Stear created from a residency period in Norway. A showcase of work by Students from the University of the Highlands and Islands portfolio course in Uist. Fòcas Scotland, Fòcas India: compelling visions of India and Scotland by emerging photographers. Forradh: Sly Cooking - by Catriona Black an extensive exhibition of linocuts based on arcane Gaelic terminology. The first solo show of original oil paintings by local artist Margaret Maclean, a mentee on An Lanntair’s artist support programme will be the final exhibition of 2017.18.
8.4 There were a number of artist residency/ commission opportunities in 2017. Visiting Artists Xtina Lamb and Moira Maclean created public art works on the route to the proposed site for the St Kilda Centre in Uig. The third year of the ‘An Suileachan Residency’ based in the Bhaltos peninsula in conjunction with the Bhaltos Community Trust offered an opportunity for artist and filmmaker Claire Macleod to spent two weeks working in the community from an open access studio, interviewing people and recording drone film footage. ‘Muir is Tir/Land and Sea’ ran over two weeks in August and was set up in conjunction with ‘Sail Britain’ and Edinburgh College of Art. Based aboard the 7 berth sailing boat ‘Sharoni’ for the first week at sea and on land in Uig for the second week, four artists and a musician from New York, Bristol, Cornwall, Montreal and Glasgow were chosen through an open call. They were then given the opportunity to discover the islands land and seascapes, to research themes related to their own practice and to navigate, sail, walk and explore the place and culture of the Outer Hebrides. The project will result in exhibitions at an Lanntair and in Edinburgh.
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
9.1 An Lanntair have delivered an extensive Education and Outreach Programme since 2000. Strong working relationships have been built with CnES Education and Social Work and Western Isles Health Services. Service users at the Grianan and Ardseileach Centres have benefited from an annual programme of arts activity, regularly taking part in workshops with artists and making their own art works. An Lanntair is an established resource used by local creative industry businesses to teach adult learning classes. An extensive range of subjects are taught in blocks of 6 to 8 weekly sessions. In 2017-18 subjects have included life drawing, kilt making, graphic design, Salsa, Argentine Tango, Jive and Charleston, Painting and Collage, Hand built ceramics, Linocut Printmaking, and Textile Bag Design.
9.2 An Lanntair’s work with Health Care Organisations has continued to expand. A highlight of the programme is Arora, the award winning ‘Dementia Friendly Community’ project in the Outer Hebrides, in partnership with Life Changes Trust. In 17/18, the Arora team coordinated a diverse range of projects within An Lanntair and across the island communities including the Uists. Photographers worked with people in hospital and care centres to create and install photographic vinyls to personalise care spaces. A printmaking Artist worked at a specialist NHS dementia care unit to create bird prints for inside and outside the ward and supported the community effort to rework the ward Memory Garden. In hospitals the team collaborated with the NHS and Alzheimer Scotland on weekly Reminiscence sessions and ceilidhs in care centres. Close partnerships with the Museum service led to regular trips and events for people living in care centres and accessing day care. The Comhairle Library Service has collaborated with the Aurora team on memory boxes and archive film tablets, which will be made available to borrow through the mobile library service.
9.3 Frequent dementia friendly screenings are held at An Lanntair and across the community. Informal and family carers have been supported with Me Time project work, involving Art Ceilidhs, Me Time drop in days, crafting and art technique kits. An Lanntair’s Gaelic Co- ordinator led on a dance project, creating cultural movement with newly composed Gaelic songs. Project Curator, Jon Macleod has developed an Intelligent Textiles project with PhD student Lucy Robertson, creating personal items to support relaxation and settling into new surroundings with cultural fabrics and sounds. Photography Walks have been introduced, in order to continue personalising surroundings for people living with dementia and to help them with orientation. Getting outside is important to help people maintain their identity and sense of place. A project is also in place to support Gaelic language learning for care teams.
9.4 An Lanntair offers the CnES Education Dept a significant resource and many opportunities to enhance school and pre-school curriculums for children and young people in the Outer Hebrides. Inspiring workshops and projects across Visual Arts, Dance, Drama, Music, Literature and Moving image are developed often in association with visiting artists performing and exhibiting at the arts centre. For example in 2017-18 renowned classical Pianist Ivan Ilic offered a workshop to senior music pupils and a mini-concert in schools. Faclan Oga: A programme of children’s authors delivered 14 talks and workshops in schools and at An Lanntair’s auditorium... Linked to their dance show ‘Without a Hitch’ Room 2 Manoeuvre, one of Scotland’s leading hip hop dance theatre companies, delivered dance workshops to schools across Lewis and Harris. Artistic director Tony Mills gave over 700 participants a taste of a range of dance styles including breakdance, hip hop, commercial/street, locking and popping. .Gaelictronica workshops for schools led by electronic composer and musician, Ross Whyte and Gaelic singer-songwriter, Alasdair Whyte will include electronic composition using Ableton software and a talk about live looping, after which participants will have the opportunity to create and record a short piece of music. The artists will talk about song-writing and Alasdair will speak about some of the historic research behind the 17th and 18th century Gaelic songs they’ve recorded. They will also perform for school pupils some of their pieces which feature sampling and looping. As part of the Naked Craft Schools programme: Joanne Kaar delivered a shoe design and weaving workshop inspired by Angus Macphee with sixteen S2 Nicolson Institute pupils and 20 pupils from Stornoway Primary. Kevin Morris used his ceramic artwork based on his grandfather to encourage personal storytelling and teach ceramic mould making, casting and printing on ceramics. He led workshops with five S3 pupils from Sir E Scott in Tarbert, and twenty S2 pupils from the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway.
9.5 A Pre School event with a Circus theme engaged pre-school children in movement, visual arts, music, and storytelling in both English and Gaelic. Gaelic Circus skills artist Ariel Killick was employed to deliver movement and performance workshops. Over the course of four days the auditorium was transformed into a big top complete with circus wagon and giant tent. 14 nurseries and croileagans brought over 200 children to the sessions.
9.6 Out of school hours activity is an equally important part of the programme. Saturday Art Club and Saturday Drama Clubs for the P1-P7 age continue to be popular. They provide a safe, fun environment where children can explore a wide range of creative approaches. Due to demand an extra Drama Club on Wednesday afternoons was introduced in 2017 to cater for secondary school age children and young people.
9.7 Dance artist, Julia McGhee delivered a variety of workshops over the summer holidays. A week long Summer Youth Dance Intensive dance and performance project was open to young people aged 10-18 years. ‘Jumpin and Jiving’ - a two day rock ‘n’ roll inspired dance class aimed at participants aged 6-9 years old. Creative Dance - a two day class aimed at 6- 9 year olds explored rhythm and movement and gave young dancers the chance to express their ideas through their bodies. "Trunk” was an exciting interactive performance for children aged between 3 and 6 years and their parents/carers. Moving Forward 3 days of dance activity for young people with disabilities was run by YDance and Indepen-dance.
9.8 ‘Uncharted’ is a major project funded by Time to Shine, Creative Scotland’s first National Youth Arts Strategy. An Lanntair began this ambitious island wide youth engagement programme in 2015 by establishing 4 Arts Labs in Uig, Ness, Harris and Bragar. Weekly workshop sessions are held in each location with 10 to 13 year olds and 14 to 18 year olds. The young people have use of excellent digital arts equipment and materials plus the support of professional artists to assist them to explore their own creativity. This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain insight and skills in the creative industries. A fifth Art lab has now been added in Stornoway at An Lanntair itself.
9.9 The details above are just a glimpse of the wide ranging education and outreach programme An Lanntair carried out over 2017/18. The organisation has a significant impact in providing cultural learning and recreational experiences which enhance self-confidence, build employability skills, have positive health benefits and help adults and children in the Outer Hebrides to achieve their potential and maximise their creativity.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
10.1. In 2016, An Lanntair launched a programme of support for local artists and emerging creative businesses with funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. This enabled the employment of a part-time Artist Support Officer and a modest budget for related work. In 2017 a programme of Evening Classes were held at An Lanntair over the course of 4 weeks, tailored to the needs of the sector. Each 2 hours session covering all elements of artistic practice in the digital age - websites, social media, funding applications and sustaining an art practice. The course was well attended with an average of 20 people at each session. The whole course was streamlined into a 6 hour session which was subsequently delivered as a morning and afternoon session at Taigh Chearsabhagh in Uist. This was followed by a day of portfolio reviews held in collaboration with UHI, and a third day of studio visits to practitioners on the island.
10.2 Other initiatives have included a workshop and 121’s with Patricia van der Akker from The Design Trust offering practical skills in costing and pricing crafts; Presenting the 'An Lanntair Stage' at Mad Hatters in Inverness as part of XPO North, showcasing a local act Mother Night (Callum Ferguson) who on the strength of his performance was subsequently given a slot at the Belladrum Festival. Since the start of the post the Artist Support Officer has taken on 20 Creative Industry practioners, offering detailed one to one advice and mentorship. This has included a young jewellery designer, a musician, a graphic designer, painters, a sculptor and a photographer. He also assisted, on request, artists and makers to prepare funding applications to the Comhairle Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards Scheme in 2017 and based on a need voiced by the arts community is currently building an on-line directory of all those involved in the arts in the Outer Hebrides.
RISK
11.1 With regard to finance, An Lanntair has historical financial challenges, which it is actively trying to resolve. The organisation does not have a working operational revenue reserve. Plans are in place to support their work, including an income generation strategy which looks at grant, commissioning, trading and private giving. The organisation also has an operational risk assessment which is assessed in depth by the An Lanntair Board at each meeting. Senior Comhairle Officers regularly attend An Lanntair Board meetings as observers for the Comhairle. The most recent An Lanntair Limited Report of the Trustees for the Year ended 31 March 2017 states: “The ongoing transition programme has delivered a robust 3-5 year costed plan, with 3 year cash flow forecasts and a commitment from the Board to start to create reserves consistent with an arts organisation whose principal asset is a major arts centre. Recent re-organisation of the staff and management of the arts programme and all related activity has led to savings and efficiencies that will deliver a financially sustainable organisation in the medium term. The board has established a policy that revenue expenditure each year should not exceed income. The charity is dependent upon the continuing support of its principal funders (Creative Scotland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) to continue the activities of the charity”.
11.2 An Lanntair have been awarded 3 year Regular Funding for the period 2018-21 from Creative Scotland. In a press release announcing the awards Creative Scotland’s, Chief Executive Janet Archer stated:
“I am pleased to announce the network of Regularly Funded organisations for 2018-21. This follows a welcome settlement from the Scottish Government in the recent draft budget enabling us to maintain the existing budget for Regular Funding.
Regular funding provides three year funding to a wide range of organisations which create, present and support excellence across craft, dance, literature, music, screen, theatre and visual arts, reaching out to all parts of Scotland and internationally.
The network has been arrived at through a careful and thorough decision-making process involving staff across Creative Scotland and our Board. Regular Funding is a highly competitive process where demand has once again, far outstripped available funding.”
11.3 (OHCPP) Economic Regeneration Strategy to 2020 identifies “population decline” and “economic under performance” as the key challenges faced by the Outer Hebrides. If the Comhairle ceases funding An Lanntair there is a high risk that this will lead to cuts by other funders, the organisation will fail and the Outer Hebrides will lose an integral part of the Island’s economic infrastructure, a substantial number of jobs, a major tourist attraction and a an incredible cultural service enjoyed by the local community. A target figure of £69,350 per annum of core funding from the Comhairle was a vital factor in securing £1,210,000 in 3 year Regular Funding from Creative Scotland, for the period 2018-2021.
11.4 An Lanntair is identified as a ‘Creative hub’ within the revised Creative and Cultural Industries Strategy which states ‘they will be assisted to deliver quality reactive programmes, retain activity momentum already achieved, plan for future development and diversification as well as being supported to safeguard against challenges’.
11.5 There are no legal, financial or other constraints to the Comhairle in making the funding award to An Lanntair Limited. Provision exists within the Development Department’s Arts Revenue Budget subject to approval of the Comhairle’s 2018/19 Budget.
CONCLUSION
12.1 An Lanntair provides an arts service to the Outer Hebrides which rivals the services that citizens in other parts of the country enjoy, helping to make the islands an attractive place to live and work.
12.2 The quality, quantity and extensive reach of An Lanntair’s programme in 2017-18 is impressive. The interim review of the Funding Agreement for 2017-18 has concluded that An Lanntair has surpassed their funding agreement requirements.
12.3 An Lanntair’s plans for 2018-19 are just as ambitious. A draft Budget for Financial Year 2018-19 is provided in Appendix 1. (This draft budget is subject to revision and approval by the An Lanntair Board to account for actual core funding awards from Creative Scotland and the Comhairle for 2018.19). A summary of An Lanntair’s Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2017 is provided at Appendix 2.
12.4 An Lanntair is a critical component of the tourism and creative/cultural sector in the Outer Hebrides, and makes a significant contribution to the local economy. Continued funding from the Comhairle will enable the organisation to further develop its potential to deliver an exceptional programme of arts activity, attract more visitors and establish a pattern of financial sustainability.
12.5 An Lanntair supports the delivery of National and Local Outcomes under the Single Outcome Agreement and the delivery of Plana Gàidhlig na Comhairle.
12.6 It is recommended that the Comhairle, subject to the approval of the Comhairle’s 2018/19 Budget approve £69,350 to An Lanntair Ltd. from the 2018/19 Arts Development budget, subject to the satisfactory conclusion of a one year Funding Agreement covering 2018/19 and subject to the repayment of the sums (£3415) due under Prudential Borrowing Arrangements.
APPENDIX 1
AN LANNTAIR LIMITED: DRAFT INCOME AND EXPENDITURE 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19
These figures were submitted as part of the application for 3 year Regular Funding from Creative Scotland for 2018 – 2021. They will be subject to revision and approval by the An Lanntair board to reflect the actual 3 year regular funding award of £1,210,000 (£403, 333 per annum) for the period 2018-2021, which was announced on 25.1.2018
INCOME 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Assumptions
Programme Income
Performing Arts 33,500 37,000 38,850 Projects 5% growth from 17-18 reflecting new impetus on engaging younger and more diverse audiences with a more varied programme.
Literature Sales 3,977 6,000 6,120 Projects 2% growth from 17-18 reflecting new emphasis on national marketing and PR for the Faclan event
Visual Arts Sales 9,500 8,000 8,000 £8000 target for art sales year on year
Education & Outreach Sales 14,500 14,400 14,688 Projects 2% increase from 17-18 reflecting the growth potential for the E&O programme and new focus on attracting students
Other Programme Income 6,500 6,000 6,000 Expected income from other projects generating ticket sales throughout the year
Cinema Sales 100,000 109,000 110,090 1% increase year on year from 17-18 reflecting new focus on improving and growing cinema audiences across the programme
An Lanntair Records 400 500 500 PRS returns estimated on previous experience
Member Subscriptions 2,850 4,200 4,242 1% increase year on year from 17-18 reflecting new focus on attracting members with new membership deals and promotions
Hires and Conferences 14,000 14,400 14,688 Projections for hires and conferencing 2% increase year on year from 17-18 Service Fees 27,000 19,000 19,000 Projections for consultancy and other contractural services provided by An Lanntair – e.g. strategic leadership support to Taigh Chearsabhagh
An Lanntair Trading Contribution 10,000 11,000 12,000 In line with the business plan for An Lanntair’s Trading Company – an ambition to grow the contribution to £20k by 2020
Grants
Creative Scotland Regular Funding 388,334 388,334 411,400 Modest increase in request to Creative Scotland by 2% on 2015-18 allocation to reflect the increases across our organisation for staff pay and overheads, the depth, diversity and breadth of our programme, and the step change in the reach and impact of our nationally significant and internationally-significant work, and the strategic role we are now playing in the sector in relation to Gaelic arts and the growth of the creative industries.
CNES Revenue Grant 69,350 69,350 69,350 Request to the Comhairle
Point and Sandwick Power 20,000 20,000 20,000 Confirmed commitment from Point and Sandwick Development Trust
Literature Programme Grants 2,628 10,000 10,000 Grant target for the Faclan Festival. To be achieved through new focus placed on early fundraising to this project
Creative Place Awards + match funding 92,381 24,000 0 CPA funds to end during the Autumn of 2017
Life Changes Trust 61105 61,105 61,105 Bid currently in with LCT to continue this funding beyond 17-18 for the next three years
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation 10,000 24,996 25,000 Funding in place until 2018, a bid will be submitted for continuation funding beyond this
Gannochy Trust 12,000 12,000 12,000 Funding in place until 2018, a bid will be submitted for continuation funding beyond this
Purvai project funding (Event Scotland 10,000 99,396 20,000 Funding in place for a large-scale project in 2017-18, funds will be sought year on and HLF year for the Purvai Festival beyond this
Education and Outreach – other grants 76,532 30,000 30,000 E&O team secure grants year on year for education and oureach projects – bids currently going to Young Start and Robertson Trust
Performing Arts – other grants 14,403 Inc.in Inc. in other other grants grants
Arts Projects – other grants 20,657 Inc. in Inc. in other other grants grants
Gaelic arts network funding 0 67,300 67,300 Funds in place for 2017-18, a new development manager will seek funds from 2018 onwards year on year
Other income from other grants 12,000 41,000 35,000 New, multi-annual funds targeted. Fundraising strategy in place. Each programme lead to be responsible for achieving their own target. Funds targeted to cover staff and other core costs, inc E+O and Programme staff as well as new arts projects.
Other income 5,100 3,000 3,000 Other miscellaneous income throughout the year, including private donations
TOTAL INCOME 1,016,717 1,079,981 998,333
EXPENDITURE 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19
Performing Arts 54,000 57,000 58,850 Confirmed £20k core funding contribution each year to the performing arts programme + any additional arts grants sought
Literature Programme 13,000 10,000 13,000 Expected costs for the Faclan Festival from 18-19 onwards
Exhibitions 14,000 15,600 17,000 Commitment to increase the budget for the visual arts programme each year, with a view to adding this with specific grants
Creative Place Awards Project budget 67,925 15,000 0 Complete by 2018
Purvai project costs (Event Scotland + 10,000 84,396 15,000 Continued festival each year Heritage Lottery Fund) Other arts projects expenditure 39,430 0 10,000 Additional arts projects to be identified and delivered through the year – grants to be secured to achieve these (see other income from grants) excluding salaries
Life Changes Trust Project Budget 23,253 23,253 23,253 Project budget excluding Life Changes Trust grant, excluding salaries
Education and Outreach project budget 75,141 59,400 59,688 £15k core project budget for E+O projects
Artist support project budget 3,000 9,996 10,000 Commitment year on year – related to Esmee Fairbairn funds excluding salaries
Gaelic Arts Budget 0 33,400 33,400 Commitment year on year – related to Gaelic arts network funds, excluding salaries
Cinema Rentals and other costs 55,000 59,950 60,550 An average of 55% of income
Marketing 15,500 12,000 16,000 Commitment to increase the marketing budget to match the growing need to profile our work locally, nationally and internationally and engage a diverse audience
Salaries and pensions 484,000 479,000 488,580 2% increase year on year from 17-18. Strategic staff restructure in 2017-18 projected to result in a reduction in staff costs from 16-17
Organisational restructure costs 0 26,500 0 Staff / organisational restructure to be undertaken during 2017-18 –costs here are estimated for consultancy and redundancies
Overheads 170,000 181,500 190,575 2% increase year on year from 17-18
Development Costs 0 0 0 Training and development included in ‘overheads’ from 16/17 onwards
Capital Replacement Fund 0 12,000 0 Match funding in 17-18 to capital project. Capital replacement included in overheads budget from 18-19 onwards
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 1,024,249 1,078,995 995,896
DEFICIT / SURPLAS -7,532 986 2,438 APPENDIX 2