News
Welcome to the Promote YT News section where you can find out what’s going on in the youth performing arts sector.
This information will be updated on a regular basis. If you would like to post a news item please contact info@promoteyt.co.uk
News:
Creative Scotland is leading the development of Scotland’s first National Youth Arts Strategy.
The strategy isn’t Creative Scotland’s, it’s Scotland’s and we would like you to join the conversation.
It will have the vision of establishing Scotland as an international leader in youth arts. Perhaps you think we already are?
They need to hear your thoughts and opinions to help shape and inform the strategy. If you’re committed to enriching children & young people’s lives through the arts whether you’re an artist, parent, arts organisation or any other agency working with children or young people then they hope that you can join them at one of their focus groups, details of which can be found by visiting: http://creativescotland.eventbrite.com/
PLEASE NOTE: These focus groups are specifically for service providers but Young Scot are running a number of consultations with young people on our behalf.
They’re expecting spaces to fill up fast as numbers for each venue are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.
If you would like to attend one of the events please visit: http://creativescotland.eventbrite.com
Other Ways to Get Involved:
Twitter
If you want to join the national youth arts conversation on twitter then use the #tag: #YouthArtsScot to get us
Young Scot Online Questionnaire - http://bit.ly/zjp1CV
This one’s for young people aged 11-26yrs old to complete. We’d be grateful if you could forward to young people you work with, post it on your website or promote across your networks.
News:
National Youth Arts Centre – Creative Scotland’s discussion paper
You may recall last September the Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced the investment of £5million for the development of a National Youth Arts Centre, Ms Hyslop said:
“Scotland is a creative nation, and we want our young people to be the best they can be. Developing and nurturing their skills and creativity is crucial for the country’s economic future. To allow our young people to realise their potential, it is vital that we celebrate our emerging youth talent and provide opportunities for it to flourish”.
Please find attached a Centre for Youth Arts FINAL VERSION discussion document and we would welcome your views, thoughts and ideas on how we can make Scotland’s National Youth Arts Centre an inspirational resource for our future artists and creative entrepreneurs.
The paper has been drawn up by a small team at Creative Scotland led by Andrew Dixon taking into account the views of the national youth performing companies from a workshop they held on 8 December 2011, and their delivery partner, The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Please feel free to use the questions within the paper to frame your response or just jot down your thoughts and send to consultations@creativescotland.com by Sunday 19 February, 2012
News:
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre confirmed for SKILL UP 2012
We’re really excited to announce that we have just confirmed Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre as guest facilitators at SKILL UP 2012 in Glasgow.
They’ll be delivering sessions on alternative and stimulating activities to support the teaching and learning of Shakespeare.
To book your place at SKILL UP 2012 book now at www.promoteyt.co.uk/events/
News:
Promote YT invited to speak at Scottish Dance Theatre’s international Symposium
Caroline Donald, Promote YT’s Training and Participation Manager has been invited to speak at Scottish Dance Theatre’s international Symposium exploring Pathways into Professional Performing Arts for Disabled People.
The Symposium which runs from 19 – 20 January will examine the gaps and address the issues inhibiting inclusion of disabled people in the performing arts. Chaired by multi-disciplinary performing artist & writer Mat Fraser with Keynote Speeches from Jenny Sealey, Artistic Director of Graeae Theatre Company and Co-Artistic Director of the Paralympics Opening Ceremony, Professor Jürg Koch – Dance Program, UW Seattle and Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive of Creative Scotland.
Caroline will be joined in a panel presentation by Gerry Ramage, Artistic Director from Solar Bear where they will discuss the 2011 National Festival of Youth Theatre Deaf Access Project. In its 6 year existence NFYT has grown consistently, being staged in 5 separate regions of Scotland and showcasing over 50 performances of national and international work. The event has also resulted in the creation of 3 brand-new regional youth theatre groups through associated outreach projects with disadvantaged young people. For 2011, NFYT hosted an ambitious DEAF ACCESS PROJECT (DAP) staged in association with Solar Bear Theatre Company. This project provided the opportunity for Scotland’s DEAF YOUTH THEATRE (the only one of its kind in the UK) to fully participate in the festival supported by an extensive programme of training, awareness and support.
Download the National Festival of Youth Theatre, Deaf Access project 2011 Report here.
The International Symposium is produced by Scottish Dance Theatre (SDT), Scotland’s leading contemporary dance company. SDT has done a considerable amount of work in the field of performing arts and disability both on stage as well as through the pioneering work of Caroline Bowditch, SDT’s Dance Agent for Change. Caroline Bowditch is one of the key facilitators at SKILL UP 2012 in Glasgow. SKILL UP is Promote YT’s annual training and networking conference for all organisations and individuals with a stake in youth performing arts. It provides a broad range of quality training experiences, which appeal to all levels, skills and abilities. Now in its 8th year SKILL UP is the only event of its kind in the country and attracts hundreds of practitioners from across Scotland and beyond. For more information and to book visit www.promoteyt.co.uk/events/skillup
For more information on the international Symposium exploring Pathways into Professional Performing Arts for Disabled People visit http://www.scottishdancetheatre.com/index.php?pid=155
News:
Promote YT are excited to announce the first ‘Spark Collective’ meet up and workshop for 2012. Will be on Monday 6th Feb 10.30am – 4.30pm. (Followed by collective networking / drink and a chat) at Dundee Rep Theatre.
The workshop will be hosted by Dundee Rep and will explore the theme of ‘ensemble working’. The day will be facilitated by Gemma Nichol, but participants are also asked to prepare an exercise on the theme of ensemble to share with the group.
The workshop is FREE all we need from you is your time, ideas and talents. There are 25 places available on the workshop anyone wanting to take part must be a Promote YT freelance member or an employee of a Promote YT membership organisation.
To book, email Helen@promoteyt.co.uk or call 0131 538 0591. If you would like to attend and join the collective and are not already a Promote YT member, Membership starts from as little as £15 per year, please ask Helen for more details. Opening Hours
Events:
FST announces the 2012 Emporium, for Monday 27th February 2012 at Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh
Now in its seventh year, Emporium is a one day event for producers, promoters, venues, professional theatre and dance companies, offering the opportunity to network with colleagues, promote work and book shows for venues. If you have a production to sell and want to meet with venues and promoters from Scotland and across the UK, or are looking to contact Scottish companies to programme, this is an essential event.
The day features scheduled face to face meetings, speakers and an Open Exchange platform giving everyone a chance to update delegates on future projects and plans.
Presentations for the 2012 Emporium will focus around touring models and collaborative initiatives.
The booking form can be downloaded below and more information can be found on the Emporium website
Courses:
FST Announces Winter School 2012 Courses Friday, 9 December 2011
A wide range of training courses are running over the 3 days and you can come along to one session or many. A number of sessions are free and special discounted Winter School rates often apply.
Book 3 or more courses and receive 20% off, or take advantage of our early bird discount and receive 10% off all bookings made by the 9th January 2012. ]
FST is a registered ILA Scotland training provider so those who are normally resident in Scotland and earning less than £22,000 per annum are eligible for up to £200 funding to access training, including FST courses. Please contact the FST office or contact ILA Scotland 0808 100 1090 www.ilascotland.org.uk for information on how to obtain an Independent Learning Account.
Details on what’s happening each day can be found in the Training & Development section of the FST website. More courses will be added over the next few weeks, so keep checking for updates.
For more information on Winter School please contact: kirsty.bailey@scottishtheatre.org 0131 248 4842 or 07531 500 533
Members of PromoteYT are eligible for members rates on all FST training courses – to join PromoteYT from as little as £15 a year please click here
Events:
The Spark Collective
Launched at Promote YT’s recent Sector Symposium by Caroline Donald, our Participation and Training Manager, the Spark Collective is an *NEW* creative cohort where members can play, share practice, work in collaboration and gather inspiration.
One thing that we can all identify with in our sector – even if you are employed within an organisation – is solo working. Year on year feedback from SKILL UP highlights how important people feel it is to come together. With this in mind we thought that establishing a collective would provide a perfect platform to bring you all together in an enjoyable way that will not only benefit practitioners, but also the young people we work with.
Set up by Promote YT but led by members from within, the Spark Collective will operate through a Facebook Group and will get together regularly throughout the year. Each month a different venue will ‘host’ the collective and members will take it in turns to facilitate and run a workshop, share their specialism or simply try out something they’re working on.
While attendance at workshops is only available to Promote YT members, anyone, at any stage of their career, is welcome to join the collective (you can then go on to become a member of Promote YT at any time with membership starting from just £15 a year). Our aim is simply to provide an inclusive, supportive platform for skill-sharing, networking and pooling resources.
By joining the collective you will agree to facilitate a workshop, offer a space or help with admin of the group. Request to join the Spark Collective Facebook Group
The first workshop will take place in early 2012 with details posted here and on Facebook.
If you have any questions of queries about the Spark Collective please contact Caroline at caroline@promoteyt.co.uk
News:
NAYT launches “I LOVE Youth Theatre Campaign”!
The National Association of Youth Theatres is launching an exciting new campaign to celebrate the achievements of young people who participate in youth theatre and to increase awareness of the important part it can play in young people’s lives.
They want all those involved in youth theatre to tell them and the rest of the world why they love it and how it impacts positively on young people. We all know that our own sector understands this and we’re asking you to help us to get the message further afield.
You can do this in lots of ways:
Visit our website at nayt.org.uk/iloveyouththeatre and download the “I Love Youth Theatre” logo to use on websites, letterhead, etc.
Buy “I Love Youth Theatre” badges from our online shop and sell them on to your young people
Use the #iloveyouththeatre hashtag on Twitter (if you could also send to us @nayttweets that would be great)
Post comments and start discussions on our Facebook wall at facebook.com /nationalassociationofyouththeatres
Post on your own Facebook wall and share with your networks
Email us at info@nayt.org.uk with stories, case studies and statistical evidence
Be creative! Why not make a video and post it online?
They’ve already had lots of messages of support from some high profile people including
It’s a fantastic opportunity for young people to be able to engage with theatre and their own creativity. I love youth theatre – although I didn’t get in – but I am not bitter. I repeat, not bitter. Such fun!” Miranda Hart. Actress, writer, comedian
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