SPCB(2017)Paper 46 18 May 2017 MAJOR EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS PROGRAMME 2017/18: THE PRESTONPANS TAPESTRY Executive Summary 1. This Paper seeks the SPCB’s approval for a proposal to exhibit The Prestonpans Tapestry in the Parliament’s Main Hall as part of the Major Events and Exhibitions Programme for 2017/18. 2. The Tapestry is owned by the Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust who approached Iain Gray MSP to explore the possibility of a public exhibition. 3. If approved, the exhibition would be on public display in the Parliament’s Main Hall from Wednesday 21 June to Thursday 20 July 2017 with a Presiding Officer hosted preview reception on Tuesday 20 June. Background 4. The Prestonpans Tapestry, completed in 2010, is one of the nation’s most significant and ambitious community arts projects. It depicts the story of Charles Edward Stuart’s opening campaign to regain the British throne for the exiled Stuart dynasty in 1745. It covers the events from Charles’ departure from Rome for France, through his summer campaign in Scotland and the victory at Prestonpans, culminating in his departure from Edinburgh. It also follows the marches of the redcoat forces of Sir John Cope. 5. The Tapestry and was inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry. Over 200 volunteers from across Scotland took more than 25,000 hours to create the panels, working to designs drawn by artist Andrew Crummy. Crummy went on to create the artwork for the Great Tapestry of Scotland (hosted by the Parliament in 2013 and 2014) and the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry. Examples of the Tapestry are attached Annex A. 6. The Tapestry is owned by the Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust and during its launch and the subsequent tour it has attracted around 350,000 visitors. 7. In 2010, the 104 metres long Tapestry, the longest in the world displaying a continuous narrative, was displayed in venues along the routes taken by the Prince and Sir John Cope in 1745, as well as a tour of venues across the Highlands and Lowlands. A small selection of panels was also displayed in a Member-sponsored exhibition at the Parliament in December that year. 1 Issues and Options Target audiences 8. Exhibiting The Prestonpans Tapestry in this, the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017, provides an excellent opportunity for the Scottish Parliament to contribute to raising interest in Scotland’s history and provide a venue to ensure it is enjoyed by visitors from across Scotland, the UK and abroad. Displaying the Tapestry at the same time as the National Museum of Scotland’s exhibition Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites will also hopefully increase visitor numbers to the Scottish Parliament during summer recess. 9. If approved we would support the visitor experience by offering history tours of the Scottish Parliament highlighting Holyrood’s connection to this period of Scotland’s history; ensuring visitors increase their knowledge of history and parliamentary democracy. 10. We know from our experience of hosting the Great Tapestry of Scotland in 2013 and 2014 (which resulted in an increase in visitor numbers) that embroidered textiles and Scottish history may be more attractive to older people and less appealing to younger people. Therefore to widen the appeal and maximise visitor numbers during this period, the Events and Exhibitions Team will work with other parliamentary teams to develop a series of public events and activities aimed specifically at family audiences, for example stitching workshops and storytelling sessions. 11. Using the tapestry as a backdrop we would also develop a series of public events and activities aimed specifically at engaging family audiences with the Scottish Parliament; ensuring visitors are aware that their parliament is open and accessible whilst providing an opportunity for them to engage further through tours and other activities. 12. By adding the specific history tours and the themed Family Days the exhibition will support the aims of the Parliament’s wider Public Engagement Strategy by increasing awareness of the relevance of the Parliament to the people of Scotland and ensuring that their Parliament is open and accessible. Communications Approach 13. Although the Tapestry has been on display since 2010, holding the exhibition at the Parliament creates an added element of interest. As with the Great Tapestry of Scotland, The Prestonpans Tapestry was stitched by volunteers from across Scotland. Given this local interest, the exhibition would be promoted to national and local news outlets to encourage the communities involved to come and see the Tapestry in a new and unique setting. 14. The exhibition will naturally appeal to those with an interest in Scottish history, those involved in its development and people with an interest in arts and crafts. The Media Relations Office and Web and Social Media Team would look to build on this core audience to attract a broader range of people to the exhibition. 2 15. Our initial focus would be to raise awareness of the exhibition to encourage visitors, and thereafter to promote the activities and workshops taking place at the Parliament. 16. The exhibition also provides an opportunity to cross promote some of the Parliament’s other major events and exhibitions taking place later in the year, such as the World Press Photo Exhibition and the Festival of Politics. Resource implications 17. The exhibition has no hire fee associated with its display. Any other minimal costs associated with supporting this exhibition would be met from budgets already allocated to the Corporate Events and Exhibitions budget. The minimum staff resource required with the Events and Exhibitions Team and other parliament teams to manage and oversee the exhibition and its associated programme of events, talks and family activities will be factored into existing workloads. Governance issues 18. An Equalities Impact Assessment has been carried out in relation to this proposal. There are no issues or concerns arising in relation to the outcomes of the EQIA. The Tapestry will provide a positive experience for older audiences and with the additional Family Days a positive experience for younger and family audiences as well. Publication Scheme 19. This Paper can be published once the details of the exhibition have been announced. Decision 20. The SPCB is invited to agree that The Prestonpans Tapestry exhibition takes place in the Parliament’s Main Hall from Wednesday 21 June to Thursday 20 July 2017. EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS TEAM April 2017 3 ANNEX A Examples of panels: The Du Teillay sailing on stormy seas towards Scotland The Prince’s Journey up to Glenfinnan The Prince’s Standard is Raised 4 .