Three of Scotland’s largest cultural organisations are joining forces to offer multi-year commissions aimed at productions for early years audiences. The three are Edinburgh’s Capital Theatres, a registered charity that presents world-class shows to entertain and inspire audiences of all ages; Aberdeen Performing Arts, the North-East of Scotland arts charity and in Inverness, Eden Court, Scotland’s largest multi-arts venue that is also a registered charity.
Chief Executive Officer of Aberdeen Performing Arts, Jane Spiers said “Our early years festive production has always been a much loved programme highlight and we’re delighted to have this opportunity to partner with Eden Court and Capital Theatres to support homegrown talent to bring fresh, exciting, accessible work to children and families across Scotland.”
These three major Scottish arts organisations are inviting proposals from individual artists, producers or companies based in Scotland, to create and produce three small-scale festive productions for early years audiences, to be staged in The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen, the Studio in Edinburgh, and at Eden Court in Inverness. All three productions will be produced and presented from Christmas 2021, one per venue, after which each production will be restaged in 2022 and 2023, meaning that they will play at all three venues over the three-year period till Christmas 2023.
The commissions are being funded through Creative Scotland’s Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund and the total available budget of £90,000 will be split between the three organisations to create and stage each piece in 2021.
All three organisations are committed to improving diversity and representation in the arts industry, and both encourage and welcome applications from those who represent diverse and under-represented backgrounds.
Chief Executive of Capital Theatres, Fiona Gibson said “At Capital Theatres we’re passionate about nurturing Scottish talent and developing quality accessible work. This opportunity to develop a range of early years children’s festive productions with colleagues in Aberdeen and Inverness is thrilling. We know that the earlier a young person visits a theatre, the more the art form can enrich their lives as they grow. This partnership continues Capital Theatres’ work in artist development alongside our Scottish Musical Commissioning Hub with Pitlochry Festival Theatre. We can’t wait to receive the applications.”
Chief Executive of Eden Court, James Mackenzie-Blackman added “We are delighted to be collaborating with our friends and colleagues in Aberdeen and Edinburgh to offer this unique opportunity. Despite the significant challenges presented by the pandemic we’re grateful for the opportunity to collaborate, co-produce and embrace new ways of working.”
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 