Venue: Glasgow Science Centre and venues across Scotland
Date: 4-5 December 2008

Your Study Visit options:

OPTION A: Highland Satellite Visit – Columba Hotel, Inverness

(please refer to Booking Form A)
Wednesday 3 – Thursday 4 December 2008

Theme: Children and the arts in rural settings

Inverness is the capital of the Highlands of Scotland. Much of the Highlands’ magic lies in its dramatic landscape, huge, empty expanses of land and its multitude of small, scattered communities.

The Highland study visit focuses on the particular strategies developed and employed in the Highlands to address the challenges in delivering quality and equitable arts provision to the children growing up there. Delegates will hear from those directly involved in creating quality arts opportunities for Highlands’ children. Delegates will also be given the opportunity to visit the recently redeveloped Eden Court Theatre complex, and find out about its work. Eden Court is now the largest arts centre in Scotland and serves all of the Highlands. It also offers the largest theatre-linked arts education programme in Scotland.

Delegates arrive at Columba Hotel, Inverness on Wednesday 3 December. Soup & sandwiches will be available for those who require lunch from 12.30, with tea and coffee. The session will begin at 14.00 and finish at 17.00. Dinner will be served at the Columba Hotel (with tea and coffee). On Thursday 4 December the session will begin at 9.30 and finish at 12.30 followed by a sandwich lunch at the hotel. Return coach to Glasgow to arrive in good time for the opening dinner.

OPTION B: Your study visit – Thursday 4 December
(please refer to Booking Form B)

Visit 1 ­ Glasgow City Council
Theme: Family learning

Glasgow is a vibrant city with a dynamic arts community. It has a wealth of galleries, theatres, multi-arts venues, museums and parks and many local-based artists and arts organisations. It is also a city of contrasts with health, poverty and deprivation challenges and a changing tapestry with established communities and new arrivals from different cultures all weaving together. A big part of the challenge is to ensure that all feel included, secure and can participate in local and city life. The arts play a key role in this process and projects which engage with not only children but also their extended families/carers to promote friendships are key. The projects for the conference reflect different ways that different art forms can stimulate and inspire expression and creativity but also promote learning and understanding.

Visit 2 – Stirling Council
Theme: Inclusion and entitlement

Stirling Council Children’s Services focus on inclusion and entitlement, and work to connect children with cultural activities. Services are founded on a belief that children and young people should be given opportunities both in and out of school to explore their potential and gather a wide range of cultural experiences which will cultivate a lifelong interest, pleasure and a sense of achievement. Stirling is a relatively small local authority which undertakes partnership working to deliver quality arts opportunities for children and young people. The day will include presentations from the INTER-ACT project and Artlink Central along with a music presentation and Youth Musical Initiative session. A visit to the Tollbooth will be followed by lunch. In the afternoon delegates will visit Baker Street Nursery for a film presentation. The day will end with a visit to The Macrobert, Scotland’s internationally renowned arts venue for children and young people.

Visit 3 – City of Edinburgh Council
Theme: Creating partnerships

Edinburgh has an international reputation for culture and learning. Scotland’s capital city is rich in culture, providing high quality cultural programmes for children and people of all ages to fulfil their potential. Delegates will be shown examples of how some of Edinburgh’s local and national cultural organisations are connecting with schools through their education programmes. The day will start at The Hub, home of the Edinburgh International Festival. Delegates can then choose to visit one of four organisations based within easy walking distance of Edinburgh’s world heritage site The Royal Mile: The Scottish Book Trust, Scottish Poetry Library, City Arts Centre – Travelling Gallery and the Fruitmarket Gallery. After this, lunch will be held at the Scottish Storytelling Centre followed by a practical session of storytelling and an introduction to the work of the centre from its director, Dr Donald Smith.

All study visits to Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh include transport to and from Glasgow Crowne Plaza and will take place between 9.00 and 16.00.

Please note places are limited on each study visit - please book early to guarantee your place.

Children in Scotland reserves the right to amend the contents of this programme at any time.