Diary of a Voluntary Arts Ambassador

Local arts and crafts groups in Falkirk

get their own ‘Ambassador’

Each week in Falkirk, people of all ages meet up to create, perform, teach and learn in drama clubs, choirs, knitting circles, dancing troupes, quilting groups and more.

But not all of them know about the range of advice and support available to them, both locally and nationally. Which is why Voluntary Arts Scotland set up the ‘Voluntary Arts Ambassador’ scheme, recruiting enthusiastic volunteers in each of Scotland’s local authorities, to champion the arts and crafts in their area.

The newly appointed Voluntary Arts Ambassador for Falkirk is Craig Allan. They’ll be linking up arts and crafts groups with volunteer agencies, local authority arts officers and community planning partnerships.

Local groups can use their VAA’s contacts to help spread the word about their activities, including through a special Facebook page for the area. They can also find out about some exciting projects run by Voluntary Arts Scotland, including

The Epic Awards – an annual award celebrating great work in the amateur arts and crafts. www.epicawards.co.uk
Voluntary Arts Week – a week-long celebration in May each year, shining a light on amateur arts and crafts groups, and encouraging others to join them. www.voluntaryartsweek.org

To get in touch with [your name here] people can email: vaa-falkirk@vascotland.org.uk or contact Voluntary Arts Scotland on tel: 0131 225 7355.

About the VAA scheme:

The Voluntary Arts Ambassadors scheme is funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

For more information about Voluntary Arts Ambassadors, please contact the VAA Coordinator, Carol Stobie on tel: 0131 225 9790 or email: carol@vascotland.org.uk.

Voluntary Arts Scotland is part of Voluntary Arts, the development agency for the arts and crafts participation in the UK and Republic of Ireland. To find out more about Voluntary Arts Scotland, please contact Jemma Neville, Director on tel: 0131 225 7355 or e-mail: jemma@vascotland.org.uk

Community Planning is a coming together of organisations who all have an interest in improving life for the local community. Community Planning Partnerships (CPPs) are managed by the Local Authority and include representatives from the police, health service, fire brigade, local business and many more.

I have decided that instead of repeatedly posting up similar checklist information I shall only publish a checklist every other month, so please find below my checklist below. The purpose of the checklist is to allow Voluntary Arts Scotland and local arts groups to see the progress of the Falkirk Voluntary Arts Ambassador, it is not a requirement to publish these checklists online but I find they are a useful tool in helping demonstrating the help on offer to Falkirk's voluntary and amateur art groups.

Items marked with an 'X' indicate targets have been successfully met.

	tick
Hand out 10+ VAScotland and Running Your Group postcards (with your VAA email address sticker on) to relevant contacts.	x
Add any new contacts you have made to your mailing list.	x
Complete a mini-report of each meeting/contact conversation/link you have established and email it to Carol.
Share any arts groups’ details with your key contacts (TSI, LA/Arts Trust, VAScotland). NB These should be details in the public domain, not private ones.	x
Review the local TSI newsletter, council listings, events magazines etc. to spot relevant events you could attend. NB Please check these out with Carol for travel expenses before booking anything.	x
Gather up receipts, tickets etc for any VAA business this month, complete an expenses claim form and post it to Carol.
Promote imminent events and opportunities - especially Voluntary Arts Week, Epic Awards and relevant parts of the VAScotland enewsletter - to your contacts.	x
Update the VAA Facebook page for your area, share relevant postings, ‘like’ new pages and comment where appropriate.	x
Email, hand out (or provide by other means) items of interest to contacts on your list. This could be new VA Briefings, news items, weblinks, opportunities etc.	x
Check in with ‘key contacts’ (TSI, LA/Arts Trust etc) to keep each other informed of what’s happening. x
Have a date set for your next meeting with each of these key contacts to review your latest VAA activity and keep your work plan on track.	x
Have a phone or face-to-face meeting with Carol for the same purpose.	x
Check the latest Community Planning Partnership news. Arrange to attend the most relevant meeting, as agreed with key contacts and Carol. Prepare key points to feed in at meeting(s).
Update any information you have gathered on, and for, your contacts. Feed back groups’ achievements/problems to Community Planning and VAScotland. Pass on opportunities to the groups themselves.
Encourage groups with upcoming events to provide details and promote via your VAA Facebook page, the Voluntary Arts Scotland website/enews etc. x

[Untitled[ are now open for submissions of any form for their third issue, we are looking for original, inspiring and local artwork that will address the theme and engage with the people of .Falkirk as well as promoting arts in the area.

The theme:                                                                              

Black and White

This theme can be interpreted literally as a black and white drawing in any media or explored conceptually for example: opposites or contrasts. All work must be submitting in greyscale!

Requirements:
Text based work must be:
- Poems no more than 25 lines
- Short fiction has a 2000 word count, no more.
- Each entrant can submit up to three poems or stories for consideration

Visual art:
- Images must be 300dpi or more
- Greyscale images only
- Original
- Able to be printed at A5 size
- Each entrant can submit up to three photographs, illustrations, prints for consideration.

Previously published work is accepted as long as you have retained full publishing rights.

Deadline:
30th of August 2013

Submissions should be sent to - vaa-falkirk@vascotland.org.uk

[Untitled] is available throughout Falkirk.

For more information please visit untitledfalkirk.blogspot.co.uk read more →

[Untitled] is a free artist led publication that celebrates Falkirk's voluntary and amateur art groups by providing an opportunity to showcase their work/events to a wider audience in an accessible format.

Created in 2011 by local artist Craig Allan [Untitled] to address the lack of exhibition or promotion opportunities for amateur artists throughout the area. This problem was made evident when speaking to numerous art groups who all spoke about the disgust for lack of exposure, the only current available space for groups to exhibit in was a gardening centre, something they and myself found unacceptable. Having previously submitted work and edited issues for another Glasgow/Carlisle based artist 'zine (Manifesto) that also acted as a portable exhibition space for emerging artists it was obvious this vehicle of promoting work could be translated into Falkirk art groups.

Manifesto #8

Working closely with art groups to find out and address the issues they felt were holding back their group, were the foundations on which [Untitled] started, growing organically to cover a wider range of topics. [Untitled] began with a black and white photocopied issue that displayed full pages of artist's work; drawings, design, paintings and text, whom were invited for to enter for free as long as they were Falkirk based artists working within an amateur arts group. Printed by the help of Voluntary Arts Schotland [Untitled] was distributed throughout the Falkirk area via willing retail units. Every issue of [Untitled] sold old meeting the target of reaching a wider audience as members of the public who would not normally consider Falkirk's art groups were exposed to their work.

Issue 2 of [Untitled] in full colour saw a development in the approach towards representing Falkirk's art groups, due to the increased audience range and interest from varied art groups willing to participate, a new design was created that allowed non visual art groups to enter,

[Untitled] #1

with spotlights on art groups, examples of written word as well as visual art, #2 also introduced advertisement space for groups to promote their upcoming events and press releases. Groups who submitted were; painting group Larbert's wee art group, Falkirk Camera Club and Grangemouth's Project Theatre with critical essays by sculptor Sam Smith and Craig Allan, accompanied by examples of fine art by Vic Firth, poetry from Karen French and photography by Kit Mead.

Issue 2 also saw the introduction of [Untitled]'s popular online content which includes a full downloadable copy of the publication, (something which has been downloaded over a thousand times). A blog, phone app, email newsletter and various social network plaftforms are now online and providing up to date relevant information on Falkirk's voluntary arts, containing a what's on, opportunities page, a Falkirk art map, the only database of art groups and special features on local events such as the Tryst Festival, Open Studios and Voluntary Arts Week.

Now on it's third issue and the first issue to have a set theme for artists to work towards, [Untitled] aims to showcase an even larger amount of art groups to a wider audience, with online content

[Untitled] #2

firmly on place and a call for entries currently circulating the web on sites like Scottish Book Trust and Creative Scotland, the goal is in sight as numerous groups have expressed interest in submitting to next exciting issue. Issue 3 also aims to create a dialogue between Falkirk's art groups, local authorities and businesses to ensure that the work started with [Untitled] can be continued on a larger community scale and the groups get the exposure they deserve. Work to bring groups together has already begun by inviting groups to attend groups exhibitions and events, the last being the successful Voluntary Arts Week, which brought Tryst Theatre, Festival Chorus, Denny WASP, Larbert's Wee Art Group, FVRG and Sing Forth.

These exhibitions have drawn the attention and imagination of fellow art groups, for example Bonnybridge Camera Club now make frequent contact and express interest in taking part in most events, Falkirk Camera Club are now regularly exhibiting photographs throughout the area, something they were reluctant to do and individual artists within Larbert's Wee Art Group have been inspired to set up their own exhibitions or submit their work for events such as the Pittenween Art Festival.

The portable nature of [Untitled] has allowed these groups to be exposed to people they would not normally be able to reach, numerous copies are available throughout the area at the one time, this is the key to [Untitled]'s success. [Untitled]'s online content has been used in the promotion of art groups and is becoming one of the main port of calls for people discovering Falkirk's voluntary arts.

[Untitled] brief as seen on Creative Scotland

[Untitled] is currently seeking entries from art groups for the third issue, to find out the requirements and specifications on how to submit your work please visit the [Untitled] blog - click here

To find out more up to date information on Falkirk's art groups like [Untitled] on Facebook

To download the fantastic second issue of [Untitled] click here

For any more enquiries or questions email vaa-falkirk@vascotland.org.uk read more →

Two giants of contemporary music come together for an intimate recital of poetry and song in tribute to their friend and seminal beat poet Allen Ginsberg. Punk poet Patti Smith performs both her own and her favourite Ginsberg poems, as well as reciting the work of Robert Louis Stevenson, with accompaniment and solo pieces for piano by "minimalist" composer Philip Glass.

Photo courtesy of Eoin Carey

A long with his friends Jack Kerouac and Bill Burroughs, Ginsberg were the originators of the Beat Generation. Inspired by his friends Ginsberg's poetry hails their contribution, spirituality and the fury of growing up in 1930's/40's America. Acclaimed for his poems such as; Wichita Vortex Sutra, Kaddish and Howl. Although not all music and poems were about Ginsberg his presence was felt through the entire performance and theatre. As a back drop to the event Glass and Smith curated photographs and images of and inspired by their friend that reveal his diverse achievements. A slow progression of black and white images of a man in different stages in life, a young man socialising with beat friends in what appears to be a diner to sophisticated man sporting an electrifying beard on his visits abroad.

Photo courtesy of Eoin Carey

The set up was simple, Glass at a black grand piano, Smith at a microphone dressed in mostly black, beginning with Wichita Vortex Sutra that was accompanied by piano music composed Glass, later complimented by Smith's own poem The Blue Thangka, a poem about the death of an old man watched over by his faithful dog. Separating for their own individual sections of the performance, Smith joined on stage by Tony Shanahan play acoustic guitar versions of Dancing barefoot and pissing in a river and a rendition of John Lennon's Beautiful Boy. In contrast Glass plays three piano pieces as one that included two of his "Etudes" and the only break in the spoken word throughout the evening. Although the three elements work successfully on their own, bringing them together brought about something special, something sensual and something that will be remembered for a while to come.

The beat of Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, the final segment of Ginsberg's trademark piece Howl brought the evening to an end, which resulted in a standing ovation from the crowd, with an encore of People have the power. The audience were left in awe and possible witnessed the best show of the festival

read more →

As a practicing artist with an interest in sculpture and performance work I was naturally going to be excited about Scotland's first exhibition of Korea's Nam June Piak at Talbot Rice in Edinburgh.

Combining technology with art making processes Paik prophesied about the role of the artist and the world itself in the future, portrayed in his seminal 1963 works Participation TV and Random Access Information. Celebrating 50 years since Paik's first solo show, Exposition of Music - Electronic Televsion at Wuppertal in 1963, Transmitted Live: Nam June Paik Resounds documents the ideas of counter-culture movements of the 60's and Paik's belief that technology should be treated as a material within an artist's repertoire, televisions, lasers, video and satellites feature heavily within his work.

TV Cello - Nam June Piak

The main floor of Talbot Rice contains an bizarre bazaar array of work that includes homemade robots created from television robots that are seen socialising with Duchamp and Beuys who feature within a series of documentary videos. His iconic TV Cello (1971) sits along side video work that represents Paik's collaborative work with the likes of John Cage and Merce Cunnigham. Upstairs contains a wide range of work and includes exhibition memorabilia creating an intimate portrait of a man at the height of his powers. The round room is home to his trademark TV Buddha (1974) sits alone in a self reflecting meditation. In contrast the Gregorian gallery is filled with the sounds and sights of Global Groove (1973) that juxtaposes catchy pop hits and dancing with avante garde performance and rituals coupled with the dangling wires and televisions of Video Chandelier No. 1.

Global Groove - Nam June Piak

The work selected for display at Talbot Rice is what any fan of Piak would hope to see and hear, however the curation of these works is suspect, TV Cello sat on a plinth, objects created work displayed behind glass, posters and photographs of previous exhibitions presented as if they were equal to the performances themselves, therefore creating a sssh don't touch atmosphere that was not incorporated in the original works, TV Cello was made to be played, synthesizers were to be used and the posters for promotion only. On the upper floor sits a piece in which the audience is encouraged to speak into a microphone in which the pitch of their voices changes the shape on the screen accordingly that harks back to the original use of the work. Several photographs of the artist with fellow Flux member Yoko Ono and John Lennon, works with John Cage act as a justification to unfamiliar Fringe audience members as to why Talbot Rice should show this retrospective. The result of this is that instead of celebrating the genius of Piak the show merely documents a period in time, the old fashioned technology displayed in cabinets is reminiscent of a museum that depicts ancient artifacts. read more →

First Quarter Checklist

Knowing where to start when you first become a Voluntary Arts Ambassador can be a little daunting. Here is a handy checklist to get you started.

These can all be done at your own pace, but our hope would be that the following will have been achieved within the first three months of you becoming a VAA.

	tick
Begin to research local voluntary and amateur arts groups (with the help of Carol and others) and enter their contact details onto a master contact list. Please mention any future contact you have in mind.	x
Claim any expenses you may have from the VAA induction.	x
Start your VAA Diary and update it at least once a month.	x
Sign up for Running Your Group Level 1 (which also signs you up for the VAScotland enewsletter). Please use your VAA email address for this. Have a look at the resources on offer so you can spread the word to any interested parties you meet. You will be given free access to Level 2 in the very near future.	x
Access your VAA email account. We will use this to contact you, and you should give this email address to any contacts you make. If you have any difficulties using your VAA email, please contact Jason Brown, VAScotland Administrator on admin@vascotland.org.uk Note: we would advise that you do not use your personal email for VAA communication, to avoid confusing the boundaries between VAA work and your personal life!	x
Have a ‘key meeting’, or at least arrange one, with Carol, your local TSI contact, other VAAs in your area, and any other key contacts (local authority/ arts trust etc) to agree a work plan.	x
Get a clear idea of the work plan mentioned above, and record any agreed actions. If anything is unclear after the meeting, please contact Carol asap to clarify what we have agreed to do.	x
Find some suitable places and put up your ‘Meet Your VAA’ posters.	x
Set up or take on an admin role for your local Voluntary Arts Ambassador Facebook page (note that Carol is co-admin). Join the (closed) VAA Facebook page.	x
Through your VAA Facebook page, ‘like’ all other relevant VAAs, the VAScotland, VAScotland Arts Ambassadors, Voluntary Arts Week, Epic Awards pages, your local TSI’s page and any relevant arts team/council pages.	x
Begin researching other relevant Facebook pages to ‘like’. Especially local voluntary arts groups in your area. You should have at least ten by the end of your first three months.	x
Share at least 10 Facebook posts from other pages that would be of interest to your local contacts. These should definitely include Voluntary Arts Week posts.	x
Sign up for the Voluntary Arts Week and Epic Awards updates on their respective websites.	x