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Aberdeen Port project sets sail with massive Creative Scotland grant

A new arts project based on Aberdeen’s port has been awarded over £130,000 by Creative Scotland as part of its ‘First in a Lifetime’ initiative that offers opportunities for people to enjoy, or take part in, creative activity.

The funding has been awarded to Aberdeen International Youth Festival (AIYF) and its partners at Aberdeen City Council’s arts development team to deliver an exciting new project called ‘The Port.’

The Port is an exciting new multi-arts collaboration which aims to connect young people and their wider communities with the changing landscape of Aberdeen City through its world famous harbour.

The project will use inspiring community based street performances, large sculptural pieces, and dance and music opportunities to develop high quality local ‘first in a lifetime’ experiences. There will be major artistic input from the Glasgow based street arts company Theatre Modo that have delivered a number of large scale street parade projects in the North-east.

Stewart Aitken, CEO and artistic director at AIYF said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people from across the city to be engaged in an exciting new project that will enable ‘First in a lifetime’ creative experiences. The Port project would not be possible on this scale without the major funding award from Creative Scotland and we are delighted that Scotland’s leading national arts body recognises the importance and impact that this project will have on the city. Telling the city’s history through its port will be an immensely rewarding and creative experience and we are delighted that young people from all areas of Aberdeen will now have increased access to artistic and creative experiences through The Port initiative.’

Overall Creative Scotland has invested over £1.2 million to create first in a lifetime opportunities. Ten projects have been supported, stretching from the Shetland Islands to Dumfries, which will offer unique inspirational experiences for thousands of people.

The awards come as Scotland puts its cultural power to the forefront during 2012 with an announcement of a ‘Year of Creative Scotland’ beginning on January 1, 2012.

The Year of Creative Scotland is billed as a chance to showcase, celebrate and promote Scotland’s cultural and creative strength on a world stage. Through a dynamic and exciting year-long programme of activity celebrating the nation’s world-class events, festivals, culture and heritage, the year puts Scotland’s culture and creativity in the international spotlight with a focus on cultural tourism and developing the events industry and creative sector in Scotland.

Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive, Creative Scotland, said; ‘The First in a Lifetime programme will offer many more people the opportunity to see, explore and enjoy a rich cultural life and we have invested in projects that will have a visible and lasting impact. The Year of Creative Scotland 2012 is a celebration of our creative strength and we will include people from all walks of life in the opportunities this inspirational year will offer.’

Aberdeen International Youth Festival, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2012, will lead on the project. Work on the initiative begins this month with the first steps being the recruitment of volunteer arts workers and promoting how people, groups and communities can take part. Some taster sessions are also planned for after Easter.

Elspeth Winram Community Arts Manager, Aberdeen City Council said: ‘This award will create opportunities locally, and Arts Development are delighted that communities and individuals in Aberdeen are being supported to take part in this unique experience.

‘The Port' will celebrate and promote talent that exists in the city, linking local people with an International Festival.’

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