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Vision Paper

VISION STATEMENT Deveron Arts – the town is the venue AIM to develop the ‘town is the venue’ model as an internationally recognised model for contemporary arts development in the rural/remote context in Huntly, Aberdeenshire OBJECTIVES 1. to evolve an international programme of artists residencies 2. to engage and encourage participation of local people in contemporary art projects

3. to engage in international exchange and dialogue 4. achieve excellence in all areas of artistic and organisational development ARTISTIC VISION Deveron Arts is a catalyst for contemporary arts in the rural community of Huntly, aiming to be a model and agent for change in contemporary arts development in the rural/remote context.

Its town is the venue strategy nurtures arts production and presentation taking place in existing spaces (rather than any specified buildings) and commits to working with local people while ensuring that highest artistic standards and excellence are maintained.

To achieve this, its stratagem is to be deliberately local while actively local.

The organisation’s creative vision recognises the need to produce high quality work and positive models of experimentation both within the area and through promotion nationally and internationally.

A discriminating artistic selection and the production of high quality work, a commitment to engage with local people, and the development of diverse international contacts are the mechanisms of Deveron Arts’ work.

Deveron Arts does this work mainly through dedicated short­ and long­term artist in residence programmes focusing on art production and experimentation.

The core activity focuses around artistic programming of selected themes that are both of local and global relevance and interest. Each theme engages artists of international standing to live and work in the town with a range of local people. Each project will be supported by a lively discussion, events and education programme.

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ARTISTIC PROGRAMMING

The core activity focuses around artistic programming of selected themes that are both of local and global relevance and interest. Each theme engages artists of international standing to live and work in the town with a range of local people. Each project will be supported by a lively discussion, events and education programme.

This is achieved by a challenging programme with the following core elements:

positioning and curatorial approach Deveron Arts defines its uniqueness through the town is the venue programme and its positioning of being deliberately local/actively global.

It strives to be therefore both a local as well as an international arts organisation.

Unlike other residency centres in Scotland and further afield it concentrates solely and deliberately on the locality (i.e. Huntly), which provides the thematic inspiration and collaboration.

The themes and issues that establish the programme are chosen by the Director/curatorial team with the advice of members of the board and the community.

These vary drastically in content and are drawn from local discussion, local media attention and world­wide concerns.

The theme of ‘identity’ will reoccur on a continual basis.

Deveron Arts is committed to developing a forum for discussion and debate through a lively programme that supports and enhances the chosen artistic theme.

themes Deveron Arts is now in a position to implement a strategic 3­year programme for which we will work with artists from across the globe and people in the locality on the following 4 main thematic strands: • • • •

Threshold: Intergenerational Understanding Sustown: Environment Great (wo­)men: Heritage and the Contemporary Science of Place: Identity and Cultural Diversity

The aim of these is to create dialogue and positive change through the Town is the Venue strategy in the town of Huntly.

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The themes for 2009 are: Threshold

Girls and their Sunday Dresses: a project with and about young women facing early pregnancies, eating disorders and other challenges Artist: Senzeni Marasela/South Africa Sustown

Bike and Walktown: a proposal to make Huntly a model biking and walking town addressing transport and car use Artists: Jacqueline Donnachie/Hamish Fulton Great (wo­)men of Huntly

Sinologist James Legge: J Legge went out as a missionary in the 18th Cent and translated no less then a 100 of the main Chinese philosophies including the Confucius into English Artists: The Utopia Group/China Science of Place

Credit Crunch: looking at the fate of debt and our love of money from the personal crisis to the national fate of African debt Artist: Gemuce Popolì/Mozambique

locality Deveron Arts’ work concentrates on the locality of the town of Huntly including the Gordon Schools catchment area, linking it actively to global issues, venues and other media.

Huntly as a town is conceived not only as a venue and a place for artists to live, work, exhibit and perform, but also as a centre for communication and the exchange of ideas for all involved: the community, the artists and Deveron Arts as the producer, curator and choreographer.

It is the ambition – over time ­ of Deveron Arts to ‘infect’ everybody in the locality through artistic – artist driven ­ engagement. This is done through addressing strategically common interests, rather then affiliation to certain class, age or ability groups. In the past this involved shopkeepers and shoppers, pet owners, pipers, cinema­goers, car cruisers, farmers … and many more. inter­nationality Deveron Arts considers pluralism as vital and is committed to international exchange and dialogue. To achieve this, at least 50% of the annually invited artists should be international or British with an international track record. Where possible we will also bring other art professionals/ curators to the town for distinct projects, conversations or advice.

In turn we endeavour to show work created in Huntly on international platforms and contribute to international conferences, seminars,etc.

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artists’ selection Artists working with Deveron Arts normally, though not always, have a what is often called a “socially engaged” or “collaborative” practice.

Each residency is centred around a particular issue or interest of the locality. The vital dimension of conversation and interaction between artists and the various echelons of the public is central to these aims.

To ensure the best outcome in both artistic as well as engagement terms, selection of artists is normally, though not always, by appointment.

This is done by actively searching for artists by the Director/Curator, with the advice of others, to include members of the board, the patrons, former artists and the community.

The process could therefore be called ‘opportunistic’ in order to maximise the prospects of collaboration towards the theme.

Artists are invited to develop proposals that respond to the theme and the above criteria. The selection should cover broadly the following criteria: 1. Distinctive Project: in collaboration with the artist we will identify and develop a focus and/or relationship of the project unique to life in Huntly; outlining why the work can only exist within the context of the exchange with the community.

2. Public Involvement: the visibility and accessibility of the artist in the community is vital and the community involvement element is essential. The artist is requested to develop a proposal prior to the residency, showing how he/she will develop a relationship and dialogue with the community or a particular part of the community. The artist would outline how he/she would take inspiration from this place.

3. Promoting excellence: artistic track record and excellence is vital in the selection. The proposal should outline how the artist would use the opportunity to develop his/her work professionally.

The proposal is subject to negotiation between the artist and Deveron Arts. Once all parties are satisfied and the finance is in place, an appointment would be made.

venues/premises and accommodation The town is the venue, hence Deveron Arts has deliberately no venue, gallery or art centre.

Installations, performances and events are sited and negotiated on a project by project basis.

Where possible artists are to be housed among members of the community. In practice, this can however at times be problematic which requires addressing on a case to case basis.

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Where artists require studio space, adequate premises have to be hired as part of the project.

Deveron Arts occupies a small office in the Brander Building on the Square in the centre of the town. documentation High quality documentation is a vital aspect of the work of Deveron Arts. This normally focuses on professionally designed printed materials, but also filmic and photographic documentation and keeping press files. research and model development Deveron Arts is taking an interest in research relating to the development of new concepts of the role of contemporary arts in rural locations and their socio­economic impact. networking Networking with key organisations and individuals on a local, regional and international level, such as galleries, curators, theatres, funding bodies and art schools, is seen as essential to the success of our work. This needs to include representation of the organisation in topical conferences, participation in relevant training courses, and involvement in study trips.

We aim to establish contacts for both artists and community within the public arena through co­ operation with theatres, galleries and other institutions in Scotland and abroad as part of the development programme. education Deveron Arts takes a holistic view of education, to include both the formal and the informal sector.

It endeavours to maintain good links with the local schools – the Gordon Schools and its feeder schools ­ and to operate creatively across subjects (as opposed to only the Art, or Music or Drama departments). collection Deveron Arts is committed to building a collection of work by artists who have worked in the town.

The artworks are installed in appropriate spaces around the town. This includes so far the Brander library and museum, the Crown Bar, the Castle Hotel, Grampian Pig Farmers, Marshall’s Garage, the Business Centre, Hilda’s Cupboard, Huntly Hotel, Jessiman’s Dance School, Orb’s bookshop, J &J Watt Garage.

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A file containing artists’ publications and videos is placed in the public library. seasons Deveron Arts is committed to enhance the annual festive calendar of the town through committed artistic interventions at Christmas, Halloween and other occasions. administration and organisation The artistic vision and programme needs to be supported by a strong administrative and financially sound business approach. Priorities are: employment of part­time Director and Project Manager long­term aim to establish a full curatorial team by engaging a curator/visiting curators engaging interns in curatorship secure funding for office and the artistic programme organisation and supervision of artist­in­residence programme development of accurate financial systems, with cash­flows and annual forecasts development of publicity strategy and the web­site production of promotional material as appropriate networking with the arts community in Scotland and abroad development and maintenance of other organisational systems and policies, e.g. equal opportunities policy, contracts for artists, etc. put into place relevant strategies relating to equal opportunities, health + safety, child protection, etc.

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training To enable the implementation of the artistic policy Deveron Arts endeavours to train its staff and board on a regular basis in both administrative as well as creative issues. This will include taking part in training courses, as well as participation in relevant seminars and conferences on local, national and international platforms. commercial development While it is recognised that DA will always be largely dependent on public and other external funds, it will endeavour to increase its commercial opportunities through sales and hire of services.

Nurture Creativity in the Community Beside the above pro­active activities, Deveron Arts is operating as a catalyst to advise: •

local artists with exhibition and performance opportunities both locally and further afield

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local groups and other bodies as well as individuals to engage in the arts

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developing and training through a dedicated Internship programme to retain and bring skills in and to the area.

This role is done mainly through giving advice and being a sounding board on issues such as fundraising and locating artists to community groups and curatorial advice, locating venues and networking for artists.

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