Luminate, Scotland’s creative ageing organisation, turns 5 in 2017 As we approach our birthday celebration it is a pleasure to reflect on our achievements so far, and to look forward to exciting plans.
“Luminate encourages us all to recognise the valuable contribution that older people make to society.” Brian Sloan, Managing Director, Age Scotland
Scotland’s society is ageing and the arts have so much to offer all of us as we get older. Research shows that greater engagement improves health, wellbeing and quality of life. And yet, after the age of 65 we engage less with the arts and culture. Luminate was set up in 2012 to help address this, and since then we have delivered a diverse programme that values older people as audiences, participants and artists; gives voice to those whose views and experiences may not always be heard; and challenges stereotypes of ageing and older people. Above all, the annual festival has provided exciting opportunity for older people to take part in creative activities nationwide.
Our birthday has been a good moment for us to pause, reflect on our successes and think about what’s next. Since 2014 we have run occasional activities outside the festival month, including artist and care staff training, and pilot projects exploring new ways of working. This has enabled Luminate to support creative ageing work across the year, and the positive impact has been clear. So as we look to the next 5 years we are planning a new programme which focuses on this year-round developmental work. Our ambition is to host a nationwide festival every two years, with other showcase opportunities at different times to promote the participation and representation of older people in the arts. So from 2018 you can expect a wider range of activities – with some new treats in store!
We have been delighted that so many communities, artists and cultural organisations have repeatedly come together to make such a vibrant festival.
“The work that Luminate does to celebrate creativity in older age and involve older people across the care sector is of great value and importance.� Karen Reid, Chief Executive, Care Inspectorate
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events that demonstrate the varied programme
ways that Luminate has worked with partner organisations to promote a healthier, happier Scotland
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West Lothian Council challenged stereotypes with fun filled events including their Old Skool graffiti project and DJ workshops for over 60s.
We partnered with the Care Inspectorate and Creative Scotland on the creation of the Arts in Care pack. The resource inspires and supports creative activities for older people living in care homes.
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Older and younger people came together to create an intergenerational orchestra and choir for Get Creative with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
Together with LGBT Age and Dive we ran a community cabaret project for older LGBTI+ community members to explore and share their personal stories.
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Since 2013 the Luminate film tour has zoomed in on the experience of ageing and showcased thought provoking cinema to a nationwide audience.
We have worked with charities such as Alzheimer Scotland to improve opportunities for people living with dementia.
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PRIME, Quicksilver and Gracenotes toured across Scotland, putting older dancers centre stage.
Digital Scotland have helped us to run creative workshops that promote digital inclusion among older people.
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Live Music Now Scotland have taken their concerts to care homes, sheltered housing communities and local groups across the country.
With the support of Scottish Care we have delivered innovative arts projects in care settings and highlighted the importance of the arts in the care sector to a wider audience.
“It has been so exciting to tap into new ways of challenging myself within this nationwide platform.” Moira Berry, Dancer
“Luminate has been key in providing us with the opportunity to develop new, quality, exciting creative work around ageing, supporting us as artists to take risks and take work into new territories.” Jo Hodges / Denise Zygadlo, Artists
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things that you might not know about Luminate
artists and the work they have created for Luminate
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There have been a total of 1,902 events over the past five years.
Jo Hodges and Denise Zygadlo developed Changing Room, a participatory art project that explored the important, but rarely discussed, topic of menopause.
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From Shetland to the Scottish Borders more than 270,000 people have attended Luminate events since 2012.
Photographer Colin Gray presented an intimate and moving exhibition, ‘A Journey with his Parents through Love, Life and Death’.
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Luminate is truly intergenerational. Participants’ ages have ranged from 1 to 102!
Shetland-based artists Roxane Permar & Susan Timmins created 3 innovative art installations inspired by the memories of older people who had been members of the Royal Observer Corps.
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Author Jamie Stuart was 93 when he took part in the 2013 festival making him Luminate’s oldest ever performer.
BAFTA Scotland-winning filmmaker Duncan Cowles supported residents at North Merchiston Care Home to direct and star in 5 short documentaries.
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The programme has featured international performances, including work from Australia, Finland and Germany.
Spoken word duo Rally & Broad presented the hugely popular Luminate Poetry Slam.
5 things we are looking forward to
1 Luminate 2017! Our ‘5th Birthday’ festival will take place across Scotland in October.
2 Expanding our yearround programme to support older people to engage fully with the arts across Scotland.
3 Building on our existing work to provide more career development opportunities for older artists.
4 Continuing to engage with current collaborators and extending our partnership groups.
5 Proving again and again that creativity has no age!
Find out more at www.luminatescotland.org 0131 668 8066 @LuminateScot Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation number- SC044652
“Luminate provides a wonderful opportunity for older people to become involved in the Arts, not simply as recipients but as active contributors.” Suzanne Munday, Chief Executive of MECOPP (Minority Ethnic Carers of Older People Project)
“The diversity of Luminate’s programme of activities that is truly inclusive of all art forms is its real strength.” Professor Brendan McCormack, Head of the Division of Nursing/ Head of QMU Graduate School
Image Credits 1. Old Skool, Livingston, West Lothian Council, Luminate 2013. © Eoin Carey. 2. Shedcase, led by The Wise Guys at Highland Print Studios, Luminate 2015. 3. Falkirk Cabaret, led by Love Music,Luminate 2014. © Drew Farrell. 4. Falkirk Cabaret, led by Love Music,Luminate 2014. © Drew Farrell. 5. PRIME at Dance Base, Luminate 2015 & 2016. © Brian Hartley. 6. Burl and Purl DJ Nite, West Lothian Council, Luminate 2016. © Tiu Makkonen. 7. Super Viviere by Susie Rea, Macrobert, Luminate 2013. © Drew Farrell. 8. Aerial dance workshops led by All or Nothing, with dancers from Regenerate at Scottish Ballet, Luminate 2014. © Eoin Carey.